WILTSHIRE LIFE Awards 2018 13
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Business of the Year
Winner Arctic Direct
Arctic Direct is a specialist luxury Arctic and Lapland travel specialist, founded in 2004 in
Cricklade. Their mission is “to provide bucket list memories via the best quality Arctic holidays,
educational trips and expeditions which give the customer a great experience from start to finish.”
Last year was an exceptional one, with an increase in turnover of 79%, which saw them take
on two extra staff in January to cope with extraordinary growth, and an apprentice.
In March, thanks to an export grant, they signed a contract with a multi-billion pound travel
group in Dubai, while the launch of their schools education programme brought in high sales in
under six months. In April, Arctic Direct was named the Federation of Small Businesses’ Micro
Business of the Year for the south west region in 2017. In September, they signed a large deal with
a Singapore travel agency for their Lapland product. What an incredible year.
Domestic sales show significant growth too, and by 2020, the goal is that Arctic Direct will be
a market leader for their destinations.
Second place Wiltshire Chilli Farm
The Wiltshire Chilli Farm is an award-winning artisan food producer based in Melksham.
Founded in 2010 as a hobby, the company has doubled in size year-on-year, but is still a family
concern with no outside investment. Their ethos is simple: produce delicious chilli products,
using natural ingredients. Selling direct to consumers through events such as village fetes and
agricultural shows is a vital part of their success. They also sell through 100 outlets, have a sister
company in the US and last year saw an increase in exports to the EU.
Third place Three Trees Farm Shop & Café
Located on a farm, Three Trees Farm Shop & Café in Chiseldon is a family-run business in its
fifth year. Produce from the farm includes free range eggs, beef, pork and seasonal lamb, with
other products sourced locally where possible. As fans of “old-fashioned customer service” the
business has grown. Another key to success is investing in their nine full-time and 17 part-time
staff, and they currently employ two apprentices: one in retail and one in butchery. Plans
include an extension to the shop and a delicatessen.
Their mission is to
provide bucket list
memories via the best
quality Arctic holidays,
educational trips and
expeditions