WITH pressure on all businesses to weather the economic storm, Chulmleigh-based Evergreen Gardens is demonstrating the value of investment and training as it plans to expand its services.

Established in 1998 by Nick Withers, the company has acquired a number of accreditations for its gardening, landscaping and maintenance services and now has a dynamic team of four qualified staff, each with specialist sector training.

Nick said: "We set up as a garden company providing bespoke services to private and commercial clients.

"We create wildlife and naturalistic gardens, provide tree surgery and offer commercial services to hotels, estate agents, parish councils and parochial church councils. We also undertake local authority work."

Most of Evergreen Gardens' work is in Devon, although it also services clients in Somerset and has even built a garden in the Dordogne, in France.

Nick believes that the company's commitment to training and providing a high quality service is behind its flourishing success.

All staff are liveried and checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and recently the firm has been approved to join Devon County Council's Trading Standards' Buy With Confidence scheme, which confirms that it operates in a legal, honest and fair way.

Training qualifications have been awarded by Lantra, which specialises in training for people working in the land-based and environmental sector, and by the National Proficiency Tests Council, which promotes competence and professionalism in the workforce of land-based and related industries by the encouragement of continuous learning and the recognition of skill.

These qualifications cover land-based activities, use of chainsaws, brushcutters and trimmers, mowers and woodchippers as well as First Aid in the workplace and the construction site operatives safety certificate.

Nick is also qualified as a professional tree inspector and surveys and inspects the health of trees to identify problems and perform remedial work.

Another strong focus is on the environment and Evergreen Gardens has become a corporate sponsor of both the Devon Environmental Business Initiative and the Devon Wildlife Trust.

It applies its own environmental best practice guidelines wherever possible, such as by using vegetable-based oils on equipment and sharing transport.

Continuing re-investment of profits back into the business also ensures Evergreen Gardens has modern specialist equipment at its disposal, including a 10hp diesel two-wheeled tractor with rotavator, scythe and flail mower attachments

So, fully trained and fully equipped, Evergreen Gardens has attracted even more clients over the past year.

Nick said: "We haven't noticed a downturn at all and have had steady growth over the past 12 months.

"A lot of work has been got through word of mouth and we are finding lots to keep us busy."

Even though business is flourishing, Nick is not complacent.

He is working towards Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme accreditation, which aims to improve health and safety standards and to reduce duplicated safety applications for suppliers and buyers.

He is also looking to maintain growth so that the company continues to expand.

For details see evergreen-gardens.co.uk