AN innovative Okehampton company has been recognised by one of the country's most respected entrepreneurs as a winner of Small Business Sunday's #SBS award.

Theo Paphitis, famous for his time as an investor on the BBC hit show Dragon's Den, chose Barrel Top Wagons as one of his six favourite businesses during a hotly contested session on Twitter.  

Jo Henderson, who co-founded the company, told the Times: 'It is a real validation to have someone as respected as Theo look at your work and add his endorsement. The success has given us a real boost, and resulted in a number of new enquiries.'

Barrel Top Wagons specialises in the design and manufacture of timber wagons, lodges and cabins as well as commissioned carpentry projects. It was the brainchild of Jo and partner Ben Ranson – an experienced carpenter who learned about mobile structures and low-impact living through working on many different projects around Europe.

Jo said: 'We moved back to the UK after a spell in Greece, and Ben decided to build a living wagon for us to live in. The resulting wagon led to a commission for a twin-unit lodge — and the business grew from there.'

The ethos of Barrel Top Wagons is sustainability, design and craftsmanship. Rather than importing wood from abroad, Jo and Ben use timber grown in the South West to produce unique, striking structures for living, holiday and work space. Many of the wagons and lodges are classed as moveable, providing versatile, additional spaces often without the need for full planning consent. They can deliver a good income when used for holiday accommodation.   

The company's designs are already proving their worth in a variety of uses, from extra living and office space to cinema and granny annexes.  Bespoke carpentry projects last year included 12-foot banqueting tables, school benches for Shebbear College and a children's playhouse, with a fishing cabin, twin unit lodge and garden office planned for the next few months.

Jo added: 'Business was growing steadily before we won #SBS, but now there's added value — when a potential customer sees the stamp of approval from Theo, this might just be the deal breaker. It's a positive development and we're looking forward to a really exciting year.'