TDA helps Cockington Court Craft Centre tenant build business

Torbay Development Agency (TDA) through its thriving Southwest Innovation Centres has helped a local business to achieve global recognition.

Gareth Evans, expert gilder, restorer and highly ambitious tenant at the Cockington Court Seachange craft studios, has recently completed two major contracts at The Corinthia, a £385 million luxury hotel and spa development in London.

Gareth designed a 30 square metre ceiling in the hotel spa constructed from the verre eglomise technique - gold gilding onto glass fragments to create an ultra-extravagant mirrored glass effect.

In addition, Gareth decorated the exclusive hotel main foyer and royal suite, from its main entrance continuing up a curved staircase to the top floor, using a cracked gesso finish. (Gesso is the base layer for traditional gilding made from an ancient recipe that can be polished, burnished or stained to provide a subtle and beautiful ivory effect, increasingly popular with today’s top interior designers.)

Gareth has recently quoted a large contract to install, sand blast and gild glass panels throughout 71 luxury apartments in Belgravia, and is currently in negotiations with Kate Moss to build a bespoke dining table for her London property.

Gareth continues to restore 18th and 19th century Giltwood furniture and is looking to purchase a sandblaster to meet growing demand.

Gareth said: "The Cockington Craft centre is ideal for our practice, offering excellent light, facilities, and a very inspiring environment to work in. The centres provide top-notch support for businesses to flourish; I would highly recommend anyone hoping to start out business in Torbay to make use of the outstanding support provided by Torbay Development Agency's Innovation Centres."

Gordon Oliver, Mayor of Torbay said: "Gareth’s success is fantastic news and a testament to the centre’s success. I advise anyone hoping to start up a new business to consider the Innovation Centres' purpose-built business incubation support, which can significantly increase a business’s survival."

Marissa Wakefield, Cockington Court Craft Centre Director said: "Torbay Development Agency operates the Southwest Innovation Centres specifically to help local businesses grow, as part of its ongoing commitment to improve the economy of the Bay.

"There are Innovation Centres in Torquay, Paignton and Ivybridge and we are currently looking for two more creative, media or design related businesses to fill the remaining first floor offices at the Cockington Seachange studios, our latest centre specialising in the creative industries."

The Cockington Court Seachange project, which accommodates a wide variety of demonstration craft studios, creative spaces and rooms for hire, is open to the public throughout the year, delivered with the help of £1.34m from the European Regional Development Fund.

Individuals or businesses interested in taking a tenancy at Cockington Court can call Marissa Wakefield on 01803 607230 or email .

For more information about Torbay Development Agency's Southwest Innovation Centres office space and business support visit the South West Innovation Centres  website