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Council grant helps get local tree surgery and fencing business off the ground

A new tree surgery and fencing business based in Andover has been given a £750 boost thanks to a Test Valley Borough Council Business Incentive Grant.

Acrewood, owned by Dan Wiltshire and Pat Kemp cover a variety of services from Tree surgery to fencing, hedge cutting, stump grinding, ground and property maintenance and eco grid driveways. The new partnership business has exceeded expectations, now seeing bookings extending into the new year. The company have done work for residents as well as bigger clients including a local school and is growing its customer base.

Dan and Pat have known each other personally for over twenty years and have both got 15 plus years’ experience in this industry, they both wanted a change at the beginning of 2024 so decided to combine their knowledge and experience, so Acrewood was created.

Dan said, "Receiving this grant from the council is really beneficial, it will support our running costs and help us to invest in some new, larger equipment next year. The support from the community has been great and we have received useful advice from the TVBC tree officers when needed. The business has been a great success in its first nine months, and we hope it will continue to grow."

Councillor Hasselmann, representing the Anna ward in Test Valley, said, “The business incentive grants are a great opportunity to help get new businesses up and running in the borough. We wish Dan and Pat all the best for the future, and we are pleased to see that their business is already starting to thrive.”

Test Valley Borough Council is proud to support new businesses through its Business Incentive Grants, which are designed to help entrepreneurs establish and grow their ventures in the community.

Business Incentive Grants are for new businesses located in Test Valley and you must apply before you start your business. The council will pay the grant once you have been up and running for a minimum of six months.