Young entrepreneurs set to breathe new life into Devon town

Three young entrepreneurs are set to breathe new life into the picturesque town of Bovey Tracey.

With a shared passion for craftsmanship, and a commitment to community, the trio have chosen the Devon town as the home for their creative enterprises.

From intricately designed handcrafted furniture and bespoke bicycles, to custom hand-printed apparel, these entrepreneurs are set to bring a diverse array of handmade treasures to the heart of Devon.

Fletcher Naisbett-Jones, 24, from Bovey Tracey began his entrepreneurial journey in 2019 after leaving university for a change of career path.

He first established Fixative, a dynamic streetwear brand that transcends fashion to become a platform for artistic expression and collaboration. Fixative uniquely intertwines streetwear aesthetics with a commitment to fostering emerging talent, and has become a launching pad for aspiring artists.

During the covid pandemic, Naisbett-Jones self taught the art of screen printing in his parents garage to bring his production in-house. He has since founded his second business Print Stream Studio, an apparel decoration/merch company which has expanded into their studio on Station Road, Bovey Tracey.

Print Stream Studio supplies quality hand-printed apparel to all kinds of brands and organisations across the UK. Naisbett-Jones not only has a drive to build businesses that operate sustainably, but is also passionate about promoting conversation around the topic of men's mental health. With Fixative, he has released clothing collections to raise money for multiple charities such as Newton Abbot based Fight Club Talks.

Since 2018, Pi Manson and Tammy Crawford-Rolt have been running their craft businesses in Bristol. The couple have now moved to Bovey Tracey, and are looking forward to being part of the craft movement in the town.

Manson’s company, Clandestine, makes made-to-measure bicycles and bicycle components. Specialising in on and off-road touring bikes, he works in the traditional way, joining steel tubing with molten brass. His bicycles have won multiple awards at the Bespoked UK Handbuilt Bike Show, and are sold around the world, from Japan to the US, and across the UK and Europe.

Crawford-Rolt has a close connection to the town, being a member of the Bovey-based Craft organisation MAKE Southwest, and regularly exhibiting at the Craft Festival.

She makes bespoke furniture, both fitted and freestanding, focusing on contemporary designs. From dining tables to fitted wardrobes, Crawford-Rolt’s work blends traditional techniques and modern craftsmanship, going as far as hand turning her own brass handles, charring wood, and making complex joints for durable heirloom furniture.

With a background in spatial design, Crawford-Rolt can take on various scale commissions and interiors for domestic or commercial spaces.