Date: 07/03/2008
Tempting customers' taste buds with a specialist and constantly-evolving range of products, events and services is giving Whaley Bridge-based wine specialist Terry Pattison plenty to celebrate.
For, Terry's positive approach to supplying a niche market of discerning clients with a wide range of boutique wines and spirits, real ale recommended beers, hand-made chocolates and quality teas and coffees, is reaping rewards.
Terry, of Goyt Wines 'Occasions' on Canal Street, has built up a loyal core of customers, who appreciate the personal service and attention to detail that his family-run shop can supply - including the benefits of regular wine tastings and a popular 'wine and dine' club.
Like many of the flexible, independent local businesses involved in High Peak Borough Council's current 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign, he is well aware that he has to stay at the cutting edge of change to remain successful in a competitive and ever-changing retail environment.
"Our aim is to offer something different to the larger stores and supermarkets, and so we stock a wide selection of wines supplied by small wine importers, sourced from small producers from all over the world, from Australia to Argentina," said Terry, a former lecturer, who took redundancy and launched the business 13 years ago.
"Because we know the importers personally, and in some cases, have met the producer, and we have tasted all the wines we stock, we know what we are selling and can give our customers informed advice.
"The beauty of it is that, each year, the taste of wine changes according to the conditions in which it is produced, which creates variety and is a constant source of interest for anyone who buys and appreciates it."
Goyt Wines 'Occasions' is one of only a handful of Derbyshire businesses to have made it into the Guardian Food Directory for the past two years, but Terry, his wife Pam, daughter Rebecca Benstead, son Craig and staff member Amanda Hughes, are careful not to rest on their laurels.
"We have a wine tasting every Friday evening, when people can come along to taste before they buy, and regular 'wine and dine' evenings at local pubs and restaurants, which are very popular," added Terry.
"We also do 'tutored' tastings with our wine importers, including 'vertical tastings' comparing wines from year to year, and we try to involve local producers whenever we can. For example, David Golubows, of Cocoadance in Castleton, came over to run a 'Madeira and chocolate' evening, which went very well."
The personal touch is a key element of a customer service at Goyt Wines 'Occasions', which can also organise personalised labels for occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations, a personalised gift wrapping service and free delivery for orders over £25.
"We try to offer a range of extra touches to encourage people to come into the village and support the local shops," said Terry. "The more people that come here, the more that creates a kind of synergy, and that can only be good for the future."
Regular customer and local business woman Margot Graham is a keen supporter of local businesses, and encourages her own customers at the village's Springbank Guest House to use local shops during their stay.
"It's very important, because when local shops disappear, it has a negative effect on local community life," she said. "I always buy from local businesses whenever I can. My husband Dave and I have been customers at Goyt Wines for 12 years, and it is a pleasure to shop there.
"It's just like an Aladdin's cave, and as well as buying wine, we often go there for unusual gifts. We are regulars at the Friday night wine tastings, which are enjoyable social occasions, as well as allowing you to try before you buy, and we attended a cocktail making course, which was very interesting and informative.
"We are impressed by wide selection on offer, and the convenience of having the shop in the village, but above all we appreciate Terry's knowledge, enthusiasm and interest, not only in the things he sells, but also in the local community he serves."
The 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign in the Buxton and Central areas of High Peak aims to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of supporting local businesses. As part of the campaign, customers can collect a sticker each time they buy something in a participating shop and stick it on a passport.
Passports are available from shops taking part in the campaign, all High Peak Borough Council offices or in the current, Winter issue of the Council's Connect magazine. When one of the sections on the passport is full, it can be entered into a monthly prize draw if handed in at Buxton, Chapel, New Mills and Whaley Bridge Town Halls, Glossop Municipal Buildings, or posted to High Peak Borough Council, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0QJ. The final monthly draw will take place this month.
Further information about the campaign, including tool kits full of marketing and promotional ideas and ways to encourage people to spend in local shops, are available from Helen Pakpahan, economic development officer, on 0845 129 7777 or email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
Photo: Terry Pattison with some of the specialist wines he sells at Goyt Wines 'Occasions' in Whaley Bridge.