Shropshire inspiring artisan inspiration and lifestyle

One of Shropshire’s best kept and ever evolving secrets has had its cover blown in Country Life. So observes Alistair Hilton, head of sales at Balfours. This week (October 9) the multi prize winning publication features artisan businesses with their creative bases in Shropshire and Herefordshire’s Marshes; yet their clients predominantly reside in the affluent south-east and across the pond, from New York to wherever.

Alistair explains: “Shropshire, as is highlighted in the article, has just one person for every hectare, compared to London’s 68 per hectare. We also have a fabulously diverse landscape criss-crossed by hills, forests, farms and rivers, with just one non-invasive motorway artery, yet within easy reach of the skill hubs of Birmingham and towns across the Midlands.”

That’s a bit ironic when you think that Shropshire was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; Shropshire remains ahead of the aspirational curve. Designer, Rupert Bevan is one such business specialising in bespoke furniture and finishes, from its’ workshop and finishing studio in a 17^th century barn in South Shropshire.

Alistair continues: “Like many of our clients Mr Bevan wanted to bring up his children in the countryside, options close to London were simply unaffordable. He admits ‘Coming back here to the Shropshire countryside is like therapy.’”

Textile designer, Speronella March, was born in Rome and found herself in Shropshire through her husband’s connections. She declares to be inspired by what she finds in her Shropshire surroundings, especially the acorns and leaves.

He concludes: “We have a continuous flow of clients seeking our county’s lifestyle virtues, from the landscapes to the more intimate settings of bucolic village and market town life and of course, value for money compared to many areas plays its part too. As an outsider, moving here nearly 15 years ago to my wife’s roots, I now appreciate just how special Shropshire is too.”