Archived press release

Date Published: 20/11/06

A growing garden company is planning to improve its services after receiving support from Aylesbury Vale District Council. The Great Outdoors (Landscaping) Ltd, based on College Road North in Aston Clinton, has secured grant funding of £5,0...

A growing garden company is planning to improve its services after receiving support from Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The Great Outdoors (Landscaping) Ltd, based on College Road North in Aston Clinton, has secured grant funding of £5,000 to help develop the ‘shade sail’ side of their business.

The company offers a wide range of garden design and construction services and has undertaken a number of installations for individuals and businesses across the UK. The promotion of its shade sails service has led to a large volume of enquiries and a number of commissions countrywide.

Shade sails were developed in Australia more than 25 years ago to provide effective and versatile protection against the sun's harmful UV rays. They have proved so successful that they can now be found in a wide variety of places from outdoor dining areas and play areas to show gardens and animal enclosures in countries across the world.

Company Director, Andy Vooght, explained: “Historically, our core business has been traditional garden design and makeover services. These typically include such items as fencing, paving and water features. In addition, many people are now including shade sails as part of their brief. These products offer a stylish, low cost way to provide shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. We have already received a great deal of interest from individuals and businesses looking to provide a better environment for staff or customers, particularly the education and hospitality sectors.”

Having partnered with a number of UK experts and manufactures in this field, The Great Outdoors can offer a wide range of design, supply and installation services. “People are always looking to include something new or different as their garden becomes an increasingly important living space,” commented Andy. “Whilst there are a number of companies that service large, commercial installations, they are less keen to offer products for the domestic user. We are now involved in a range of projects that vary from a few hundred to tens of thousands of pounds,” he added.

Andy plans to use the money awarded from the council grant scheme to help develop a number of marketing and product development initiatives to ensure that his business becomes one of the driving forces in the market. “We’re extremely grateful to AVDC for their assistance,” said Andy. “We’ve put a great deal of time, money and effort into developing our product range and it makes a pleasant change to get a little help!”

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s business grants scheme provides financial help to start-up firms and existing small businesses operating in the district.

The scheme can support new business start-ups with grants of up to £3,000 and existing businesses with grants of up to £5,000, subject to meeting certain criteria. 

These grants can be awarded for a variety of purposes including; property improvements; marketing and advertising: research and development; new equipment; and staff training.

Councillor Peter Cooper, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Local businesses are vital to the growth of the economy. The council is committed to supporting the development of local companies and these grants help us achieve that. I am very pleased that the council has been able to help The Great Outdoors with a business grant and I wish them every success for the future.”

For more information about business grants and to find out whether your business is eligible, look at the council’s website www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk under Business Information, then Business Support. You can also call the council’s economic development team on 01296 585634.

For further details on the services provided by The Great Outdoors, visit www.great-outdoors.biz (garden website), www.room-without-walls.co.uk (shade sail website) or call Andy Vooght on 0845 003 4241.