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The last twenty years: the growth of the family business
With Henry came change. In 1978 the old miller's cottage became a
tearoom and in 1980 the stills were removed from Fring to Heacham
to a building adjoining the drying barn, which was built in
1974. The fields are still spread about the locality, but moving
the stills made it possible for the growing number of
interested visitors to see the distilling process, visit some of
the fields and learn more about lavender.
The product selection, too, began to expand, as did the outlets
and countries where it was sold. By the end of the 1980's there
were sixty products in the range, exported to more than twenty-five
countries and sold in about five hundred outlets across the UK. Consequently,
Caley Mill was no longer large enough and the modern warehouse was
built beyond the distillery. The ground floor of Caley Mill then
became the extensive gift shop it is today.
The 1990's have seen even more rapid change and growth. To help
manage that change, John Hall joined Norfolk Lavender as General
Manager in 1991 and became Operations Director in 1996. Over the
past few years, new ranges have been added which build on our
expertise in essential oils and marketing: Rose with English Lavender
(1993), Night Scented Jasmine (1995), Lily of the Valley (1996) and
Rose (1997).
In 1987, preparation began for a Fragrant Meadow Garden to the
north of Caley Mill. From 1993 onwards this garden was planned in
detail and it was opened in 1997.
In conjunction with the increase in product ranges and visitor
facilities, the emphasis of our marketing activities has also been
transformed. The mail order business has been developed and we now
offer delivery of both fragrant products and plants, bringing us
in increasingly direct contact with our customers.
With all this change has come, happily, a huge increase in the
number of jobs at Norfolk Lavender Ltd. In 1977, when Henry
arrived, there were ten other members of staff and another
dozen who came in the summer season to help with the harvest
and visitors. Now Henry and John have seen 120 permanent
colleagues and there are an additional 20 part time jobs.
Of the permanent colleagues, ten have at least one relative
in the firm. Of the departmental managers, six have been with
us for many years; four joining originally as school leavers
on government training schemes.
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