Dad sells best of British food aboard to ex-pats

Bay businessman Michael Cook has set up a way to get British goods abroad at the click of a mouse. Mr Cook, 34, said:

"When my brother-in-law moved to New York three years ago he really missed British food, especially chocolate. He would often say American chocolate was just not the same. So we sent him tuck boxes with all his favourite British food in."

That idea has now grown to an internet firm called British Tuckbox. Mr Cook said:

"After years of commuting to London I wanted to become my own boss and saw a gap in the market. It is for people who crave the comforts of home while away."

He can ship out emergency supplies of favourite British breakfast cereals, sauces and even toiletries for babies to wherever you are in the world from his office in Westbrook Industrial Park, Sea Street. He said:

"I saw a gap in the market and think I have found a long-term solution by offering an efficient service."

The father-of-three has a list of more than 1,000 products and is being helped by his wife Clare. He has already been featured by the BBC and is hoping for a mention in this weekend's Mail On Sunday. For more details visit www.britishtuckbox.co.uk

Herne Bay Times 13th Dec 2012

Toad works ahead

Reptiles ready to move in

A giant cane toad is among Terry Matthews' friends moving to a new home in Sea Street, Herne Bay, on 1st July. His Penfolds reptile and amphibian centre will be stocking exotic pets from boa constrictor snakes to tortoises. Terry, the son of former city councillor Roger Matthews, said:

"My dad had a tropical fish shop when I was young and I loved it. But I was always more into newts and lizards. I’ve been breeding pythons for years. Getting my own place seemed the next logical step."

HB Times 30th Jun 2011