Escot Ltd

Sector:  Leisure Services, Retail, Other
No.of Employees:  15
Region: South West

Summary
The current generation of Kennaways transformed this 1200 acre traditional East Devon rural estate into a commercially profitable enterprise through an imaginative programme of diversification.  Escot now comprises a number of businesses, some managed by the Kennaways and some independent: these include a tourist attraction, a pet & aquatic centre, a restaurant, a conference centre, a survival training centre, an artistic blacksmith, a vocational training centre and an outdoor event company.

Background
Since 1984, the Escot group of enterprises has grown from a team of six to fifteen.  The businesses now attract in excess of 40,000 customers annually and during the last five years, turnover has increased dramatically.

Responsible business objectives 

Escot Ltd is committed to: the restoration and future prospects of the fabric and culture of its historic estate; the wellbeing of its staff and of the local community; and the sustainable, sympathetic development of its natural environment.

How they do it

• Educational programmes.  Escot offers curriculum-based days out and summer-camps for school children, rural studies courses for college students and vocational training for secondary students.

• Preservation of rural skills.  A range of courses is planned to provide for the continuation of rural skills.

• Conservation and sustainable development.  Working closely with neighbouring riparian land owners, the Kennaways formed the Tale Valley Trust whose purpose is the sustainable development of their part of the East Devon countryside and the wellbeing of its communities.

• Sensitive management and restoration of the estate's 1200 acres and continued enhancement of the 220 acres of the Country Park and Gardens.

What impact it has

• More than 7,000 school and college students in nature and rural studies have now passed through Escot, creating a generation of youth informed about conservation issues.

• Contribution to the restoration of water quality of the River Tale and protection of its surrounding countryside, and to the well-being of the local village communities.

• Restoration of the river's unique historical water meadow system.

Business Benefits

• Competitive advantage.  The situation of this unique combination of enterprises offers customers a broad portfolio of products and services within a single all-embracing culture, business approach and rural experience which other competitors cannot match.

• PR potential.  The diverse range of businesses provides media hooks and interest.  Awards, such as the Federation of Small Businesses Award 2004, also provide PR opportunities.

• Unique composition.  Customers appreciate the unique blend of a family business approach to customer relations, modern management techniques (e.g. Investors in People), locally sourced support (e.g. catering supplies, local work force and contract work) and an idyllic rural backdrop.