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Dave Walton and Anne Weeks
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Dave and Ann wanted to continue living on the canal boat, to work together in their own business and wanted a canal side business. They moved to Market Drayton in 2000 and opened Woodies Canalside Emporium and Tea Rooms in the empty shell of the renovated Betton Mill. Dave identifies himself as a member of the committed community of canal people. He manages the gift shop and supports the catering side. He is interested in long term planning and product and opportunity development. Anne qualified as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, became a health visitor on the Isle of Wight, got interested in teaching and eventually became a full time teacher and Programme Leader teaching Special Needs at the School of Caring in Stafford College. She took voluntary redundancy and joined with Dave. She runs the kitchen and staffing side of things. They have 10 part time staff and offer a work experience placement for young people with learning difficulties. |
The business is reliant on the location and
Woodies is very supportive of developments that enhance the canal
side as a visitor attraction. They have taken several initiatives
to draw local people down to the canal including a folk club, adding
a canal side event to the carnival programme, organising a parade
of lit up boats and a Victorian Street Fair in the car park. They
also act as a retail outlet for local food products and as a tourist
information centre, guiding visitors to local attractions. |
Looking for |
Offering to |
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They look to the network to provide
more locally produced food and craft things for sale in the shop |
They offer Woodies as a venue
for meetings or events and promise a relaxing environment. They
provide a retail outlet and marketing point for local activities
and are keen to be involved in co-ordinating their own activities
with other events locally. Dave is working on a Taste of the Town
menu based on local food products. |
List of other members with a special interests in
Contact :
Telephone: 01630 653564