Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2011 | Page 142

BUSINESS Christian provides professional touch Stephen Peachey is the key for farmers Christian Ashbee has built a fine reputation since he decided to live on the Island because of the more relaxed lifestyle, but there is nothing laid back about his professional workmanship. He takes in all aspects of painting and decorating – internal and external, domestic, commercial and site work. “I can do a full refurbishment to minor repairs, and will also undertake small building work as well. Christian agrees that in his profession trends and fashions move in cycles, with many more people returning to the use of wallpaper in recent time, often used to highlight just one wall in a room. He said: “I am available to offer customers advice on materials and colour schemes if required, but of course at the end of the day it is their choice that matters because of personal preference. Most people have a good idea of what they want.” Christian offers a service right across the Island, with all his quotes coming free of charge as part of the package. He prides himself on his quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. Although he usually has a team of two other workers at his disposal, he can call on extra workforce if the need arises so bigger projects can be undertaken. He says “Our aim is to provide a first class service, with a personal touch, combined with excellent value.” Stephen Peachey Agricultural Engineering, based in Rookley, was formed in 1994, and during that time the business has grown considerably. The company specialises primarily in farmers’ requirements, selling and repairing all types of tractors and farm machinery. For the past five years there has also been a garden machinery section, embracing lawn mowers, brushcutters, strimmers, hedge cutters and chain saws, and they hold the Island franchise for the Stihl and Viking garden machinery and power tools. “Basically anything you would expect to find in the Stihl or Viking catalogue we are able to source. We keep a selection on site, and if we haven’t got what the customer wants in stock we can usually get it inside two days,” said Stephen, who runs the company along with three other members of staff. “We started in a small rented unit, and two years in we bought the current premises, a smallholding with 10 acres and a bungalow, and have moved forward steadily since then.” The company’s core business is agriculture, and despite difficult economic times, Stephen and his work force have been able to keep a busy workshop. He points out: “Crops still have to be grown and machinery looked after. Margins in farming have always been tight so maybe the recession has not had such an impact on our industry as on others.” Christian Ashbee - Painter and Decorator TEL: 01983 402431 MOBILE: 07838 238805 Stephen Peachey Agricultural Machinery Main Road, Rookley, PO38 3NH TEL: 01983 721333 142 www.visitislandlife.com