Welsh Conservative Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, recently made a socially distanced visit to Cedar Tree Pods and praised the owners of the family-run business for their innovation and impressive line of products.
On Friday 18th June 2021, Mr Baynes visited the fast-growing company Cedar Tree Pods near Bangor-on-Dee and met with owners, Michael and Jacqui Richards, to learn more about their work manufacturing and supplying luxury Glamping Pods, Garden Rooms, Yurts and Shepherds Huts – all of which can be tailored to the needs of the customer. Michael’s father Denis Richards also works for the business and it was he who trained his son Michael in carpentry skills which have been the backbone of this rapidly expanding business. It is encouraging to see that 6 year old Michael Jr, son of Jacqui and Michael, also loves the family business and is keen to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps!
They started the business in 2018 with two members of staff since when it has gone from strength to strength, so that today there are 14 members of staff and turnover is expected to reach £1m in this financial year. The design and quality of the pods is the main reason for this success but also the rapid increase in demand as more people holiday in Britain, mainly due to Covid, and want a more adventurous vacation, close to nature.
Michael Richards said:
“We have worked extremely hard to build the business up and be known for our quality and craftsmanship. To have Simon come and visit and recognize our success was not only a boost to the team but was also a great help in terms of his advice and what he can do to help us moving forward. It was great to meet Simon and I really do hope he will visit again soon.”
Simon Baynes MP said:
“It was a great pleasure to visit Cedar Tree Pods and to learn more about the craftsmanship that goes into making these amazing pods. Their business is such a success story and provides high quality and skilled jobs in Clwyd South. I would like to thank Michael, Jacqui and Denis Richards and the whole team at Cedar Tree Pods for their wonderful, warm welcome. I am not surprised that they won the Wales Start-Up Business Award in 2020 and I wish them every success for the future as they grow, employ more staff locally and continue to attract more and more customers.”
