Latest News 08.12.2009

Start Up business advice from the Cooper Taylor team has seen Gary Wood and his canal-based venture, Driftwood Joinery, take off at a fast pace of knots.

After moving to Nantwich from the Wirral, where his joinery involved mainly working in homes, he turned his mastercraftsman skills to boats and founded the business at Swanley Marina.

He said: “Basically I wasn’t going to let the recession beat me and with South Cheshire being a busy hub of the canal network, it made sense to turn my skills to narrowboats. Now it accounts for more than 90% of my business.”

Each boat is kitted out like a mini ‘home from home’ with hardwood kitchens, seating and beds all beautifully crafted but made as Gary describes in an ‘old-fashioned’ way with joints rather than screws to withstand the rigors of vessel’s natural expansion and movement – not to mention the knocks a craft can take on the waterways.

He added: “Initially I looked up accountants in the Yellow Pages but after speaking to Philip Taylor I was so impressed with his attitude I stopped the search right there. Throughout the formation of my business the team at Cooper Taylor have been a great support. I am a joiner not a book-keeper but thanks to their advice, I can keep on top of the paper work I have to do and know I have the experts to turn to whenever I need to. “

Cooper Taylor Chartered Accountants are experts in the legal, financial and fiscal aspects of running a business. Principal Philip Taylor, said: “For many years we have assisted people who have a great idea for business but need some advice on how to get it off the ground.

“Often the best propositions involve specialising in some way and clients, like Gary, have the commitment and enterprise to become specialised leaders in their field. He has used his location and skills to launch an excellent enterprise which has gone to strength to strength and we were delighted to be there at the outset and see his business grow.”

For more information on Start Up support and other services from Cooper Taylor call 01270 623821 or visit www.coopertaylor.co.uk

SPLASH HIT: Cooper Taylor Principal, Philip Taylor, and Gary Wood with one of the narrowboats he has worked on at Swanley Marina, Nantwich.

Latest News 08.09.2009

Soccer mad Adam combined study for his Level 3 NVQ in Accounting with managing a local 7-aside football team and playing golf.

With support from his colleagues at Cooper Taylor, he was well prepared from his three-hour exam at South Cheshire Cheshire College - and completed the whole paper in half the allocated time!

Cooper Taylor Principal, Philip Taylor, said: "It takes a very disciplined approach to study and, of course, considerable skill to get through accountancy exams. But to complete the paper in record time and do so well, is a credit to Adam." Paying tribute to his colleagues, Adam said: "There's decades of experience under one roof at Cooper Taylor and with everyone being so supportive, I entered the exam with confidence and was able to walk out an hour and a half ahead of everyone else."

His certificate from the Association of Accounting Technicians is now proudly displayed in his office at The Dowery as he begins study for Level 4 and further qualifications that will take him to the level of a Chartered Accountant. 

Latest News 13.8.2009

Cooper Taylor has set a shining example to others after carrying off the Gold Award in the Nantwich in Bloom contest for most striking commercial premises in the town.

Our offices, based in The Dowery on Barker Street, was the winner of the Commercial Category of the local contest after judge, Margaret Thrower, was greeted by a colourful array of hanging baskets and tubs brimming over with flowers.

It was our first time in the competition and we were thrilled at the result.

Cooper Taylor Principal, Philip Taylor, said: "Really our aim was to extend the floral exhibits to the Barker Street side of town and encourage everyone to make an effort to dress their homes and offices with flowers.

"It was quite a feat to get the 18inch hanging baskets up a ladder and fixed to the brackets we had specially installed to hold their weight but well worth it. They need to be continually watered and staff have done a grand job looking after that side of things."

The judge, daughter of the late TV gardener, Percy Thrower, made an extensive tour of Nantwich before rewarding Cooper Taylor and the historic Dowery, parts of which date back to the 15th century, with the only Gold in the commercial category.

Cooper Taylor has further extended its commitment to Nantwich by sponsoring the floral planters which run down Churchyardside from the Square to St Mary's Church.

Philip added: "In these recession-hit times, the more businesses can do to help enhance the image of their town, the better so we decided to lead the way. Nantwich is fortunate in that residents and businesses do make a real effort, which has helped it earn so many awards over the years."

Last year Nantwich scooped the North West in Bloom 'Best Town' award in the Britain in Bloom contest for an unprecedented sixth year in a row.

Doug Butterill, chairman of Nantwich in Bloom, which co-ordinates the town's efforts in the national contest, said: "It is businesses like Cooper Taylor which help Nantwich do so well. Every bit of effort they put in helps towards a national award."

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Doug Butterill and members of the Nantwich in Bloom committee congratulating Cooper Taylor Prinicipal, Philip Taylor, on the firm's floral success.

Doug and Philip at one of the floral planters outside The Dowery.

Latest News 11.3.2009

Long-established in Nantwich, Cooper Taylor has many loyal clients, some of whom have been on our books for decades. In January, we were delighted to join one client in celebrating his 100th birthday - Mr Maldwyn Bebb.

It was a day-trip back in the mid-50s that brought the Welshpool farmer and his wife, Wendy, to live in Stapeley. Years after losing his wife, he recalled with fondness her determination to move to South Cheshire. He said: “We were on a day out and she saw a farm for sale as we drove by.

Pointing at it, she said: “I would love to live there.” She got her own way like women so often do but we never regretted the move. "People stop me in town to say "hello Mr Bebb" and have always been very friendly." Still driving and living at Stapeley, the spritely centenarian is well-known about Nantwich as he does his daily shop.

He keeps up-to-date with current affairs and watches the news on TV every night. A firm believer in a good night’s rest, he goes to bed at 11pm and gets plenty of fresh air. He is a regular visitor to our offices in Barker Street where staff marked his birthday with cards.

Principal, Philip Taylor, made a personal visit to his home to deliver champagne. Mr Taylor said: “Our clients span all age groups, from young people with start up businesses to those who have been with us for more than 40 years.

“Mr Bebb is our oldest client but there are others not far behind him and soon to receive their telegrams from the Queen. "He is a remarkable gentleman, still getting about and very aware. It was good to be able to treat him on his birthday." Royal birthday good wishes were bestowed on Mr Bebb by telegram, along with a card from the Pensions Department.

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Maldwyn Bebb is congratulated on his 100th birthday by Cooper Taylor Principal Philip Taylor.

Latest News 3.2.2009

Personal trainer Richard Adams is getting his business as well as clients in good shape with sound advice from Cooper Taylor.

Richard, 30, was able to expand into new premises off Welsh Row in Nantwich and open Studio 121 in time for the January rush of people who made it their New Year resolution to lose weight in 2009.

The former antiques centre has been converted into a personal training and fitness studio with gym equipment and a range of classes including yoga, circuit training, Thai boxing and body tone – all of which can be attended with no membership required.

The move hasn’t been far – just round the corner from 13a Welsh Row to behind Mia Stanza – but it has represented a £10,000 investment for Richard who has steadily built up his client base through word-of-mouth recommendations.

He said: “You need all the help you can get when starting out in business. I looked round for an accountant and settled with Cooper Taylor because I liked their friendly and supportive approach. I get advice not just about my accounts, but any area of my business and this has been a great support from day one and more recently through the expansion works.”

Cooper Taylor Chartered Accountants are experts in the legal, financial and fiscal aspects of running a business.

Principal, Philip Taylor, said: “For many years we have assisted young businesses and people who have good business propositions with enterprise and commitment to see them through.

Clients, like Richard, who come to us in their first year are a great source of pride as they achieve success and growth in business.”

For more information on Start Up support and other services call Cooper Taylor on 01270 623821.

RUNAWAY SUCCESS: Cooper Taylor Principal, Philip Taylor, with Richard Adams on the studio treadmill.

Archived News 10.11.2008

There was only one number in mind when staff at Cooper Taylor staged a celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of Philip Taylor as an accountant in South Cheshire.

The firm, based on Barker Street in Nantwich, is only a stone’s throw away from where he first took up his ‘articles of clerkship’ with John Cooper back in 1968 as a youngster fresh from taking A-levels at Dane Bank College in Crewe.

Then in first floor offices above a flower shop on Hospital Street, it wasn’t long before Philip became a partner in the firm. Today he runs it solely as Principal assisted by a team of 10 staff.

From Hospital Street to Beam Street, and then to Barker Street in 1987, the firm has solid foundations in Cheshire and a vast client base drawn from across the region in industries ranging from farming to engineering.

Philip, 59, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, said: “In an environment where business legislation is forever changing, it is important to keep on top of things for clients and be aware of any impact on their businesses and advise accordingly on the best course of action..

“I have taken great pride in seeing clients make a success of their business interests especially those who came to me in their first year and found we can offer more than just help with filling in a tax return.”

Services include personal and corporate tax advice, financial and management of accounts as well as cash flow and business plans and personal self assessment returns.

Supporting start-up businesses is an area where Philip has brought his expertise to the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, working alongside officials as a director.

As a former governor and Malbank School in Nnatwich and chairman of the finance committee, the father-of-two played an integral role in winning the school specialist status as an arts college.

He now acts as treasurer to the Nantwich and Acton Grammar School Foundation which supports local youngsters undertaking special projects. A long-serving member of Nantwich Rotary Club, he takes on the role of president next summer.

Philip, a founder member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, added: “A long-standing relationship with a good accountant is one which will pay off.

I am pleased to have been associated with many successful businesses for 40 years."

Philip Taylor celebrates his 40th anniversary as an accountant in Nantwich with staff Jayne Callwood, Helen Moran, Helen Edwards, Anne Yates, Gill Park, Graeme Parsons, Adam Cooke, Mike Cross, Pete Flanagan and Steven Betts.

08.12.2009

Cooper Taylor always hits the nail on the head when it comes to providing sound advice to Start Up businesses. Read about how our support and encourgement helped a joiner set sail on a new venture restoring narrowboats. More>>

08.09.2009

Our youngest member of staff Adam Cooke, 26, has proved he has a head for numbers after flying through his accountancy exams at record speed. More>>

13.08.2009

Cooper Taylor has struck gold in a prestigious local competition to reward Nantwich businesses which brighten up their premises with flowers helping the town to reap glory in the Britain in Bloom contest. More>>

11.3.2009

Clients of all ages benefit from Cooper Taylor services and many have been with us for years. When one of our clients celebrated his 100th birthday, we were there to help him mark the milestone and make the most of his special day. More>>

3.2.2009

Many Start Up businesses across a wide-area have flourished thanks to support from Cooper Taylor. Read about one of our many success stories here. More>>