A FAMILY wedding gave pig producer Mr Richard Barker the idea for a new business.

The flood of cheap imports and disastrously low prices forced the family to quit pigs in October last year after 30 years in the sector.

"We worked damn hard at the job but we had to decide how long we could keep incurring losses. It was not worth losing everything," said Mr Barker.

The 350-sow unit had been the major source of income on the 400 acre mixed farm and an alternative had to be found.

At about that time, his sister, Sarah, was arranging her wedding, which included a marquee, and that is when Mr Barker got the idea for his new business venture.

"We assumed the marquee hirers would provide the furniture as well but they did not, and not many do," he said. "I asked if they would take good quality furniture from me if I could provide it and they said yes."

That was when Mr Barker, of Cramble Cross Farm, North Cowton, near Darlington, founded Take a Pew.

Mr Barker did a lot of research into furniture and fittings as well as checking what demand there might be.

He discovered a good quality furniture manufacturer and supplier in Europe and went directly to them and struck a deal.

Now the business has taken off so well that he plans to get into the wholesale side, providing quality furniture for pubs, clubs and hotels.

He did have a nail-biting start with his first event - a wedding at Coldstream on Friday, May 26.

"The chairs should have arrived from Europe two weeks beforehand but turned up in a 40ft lorry at 6pm the night before," said Mr Barker.

"There were 700 chairs all bubble wrapped and some had to be in Coldstream by 8am the next day. We finished unloading them at about 2am but had 700 out on time that day between Coldstream and Doncaster.

Since then the business has taken off with a number of marquee companies using Take a Pew.

"We can supply everything from good quality chairs and tables to dance floors, PA systems, and bars.

"We are also now looking at supplying linen, crockery and glassware.

"We are very flexible and want to work with the customer to provide a good service. If someone wants something a bit different, I hope we can help them too."

The new venture has involved considerable investment from Mr Barker but he has no regrets.

The crisis hitting the pig sector had gone on so long and was so deep that by October last year the Barker's had to decide whether they wanted to continue.

"We decided to clear the pigs out and stopped breeding there and then," said Mr Barker, "But we had to find another income fast as the arable side could not support two families. There is no profit today sitting on a combine."

Getting rid of the pigs was a huge decision and Mr Barker feels bitter about the lack of help the government gave the sector.

"There were the imports, low prices, strength of the pound and the government doing nothing," he said. "We protested hard for two years but all to no avail. The government really should have made the supermarkets sit up on the labelling issue."

Since October, Mr Barker and his father, Peter, have increased the numbers of beef cattle and recently started contract rearing some pigs for other farmers.

His mother, June, has also started her own business, Seasonal Treats, and sells her own cakes, jams and chutneys at farmers' markets. She is in demand for wedding cakes and Christmas cakes and enjoys the contact with customers.

"This is what farmers are enjoying now, going to farmers' markets and selling directly to the customer. They love that contact with the public," said Mr Barker, who still works on the farm.

Now he is hoping the early success of Take a Pew continues. "We have mainly done weddings so far but want to get into the corporate and conference-type events as well," said Mr Barker, who is married to Jenny.

"I also want to get into wholesale sales to provide furniture for pubs, clubs and hotels so that it is a round the year business."

To contact Take a Pew telephone 01325 378307 or visit the website: www.takeapew.com