Dupath Farm
Peter Coombe runs Dupath Farm, a mixed farm near Liskeard, with 30 acres of potatoes, 400 sheep and 200 beef cattle.
He signed up to broadband with actnow in early 2004 and is pleased that he made the decision to move over to broadband.
“Initially, I was looking to free up the phone line. With broadband, you can use the Internet and the telephone at the same time over the same line – and that makes a big difference to me. Now, while I am on the Internet, business calls can still get through. That means more efficiency – I really can do two things at once!”
“It is also much better when I have to send and receive files. For example, broadband makes it easier to have things sent to and from the accountants. We also sell some beef and lamb direct and it is simpler now to send information through to people. Also because the connection is permanently on, I save time not having to dial up and can fit email correspondence in with other activities.”
Peter also runs a restaurant, function room and conference centre on site at Dupath Farm. “Sometimes people hold functions here such as weddings and want to include a photo on their invitation. With broadband, it is so much more straightforward to send over photos and other information to customers.”
Dupath Farm has a website and is considering moving into eCommerce and selling directly off the website in the future.
Peter says “We have already made using broadband an integral part of our business and moving into eCommerce would be a logical next step.”
Meanwhile, Dupath Farn uses the website to promote its butchery training courses and its semi-organic beef and lamb. Peter says “We run 10 week NVQ courses as well as one day taster courses showing farmers and others how to make sausages. The website is invaluable to us in promoting these. The website also acts as a showcase for our semi-organic produce and many of our customers send in their orders by email.” “Broadband has made a huge difference to us - not only does it make dealing with the farm administration easier, it has also allowed us to reach out to new markets and innovate.”
