From long-standing favourites to newer ventures with deep roots, these family-run businesses local to Worcester and our surrounding areas, bring a personal touch you simply can’t replicate.
Join us as we spend time with four local enterprises where passion, heritage and day-to-day life are closely intertwined, offering a glimpse into the people who help give the town its distinctive character.
Haywood Farm
(Image: Haywood Farm)
Can you tell us a story of how your family business began?
Our granddaughter Danielle was born with microtia and extra needs, so we bought a campsite to work together, support her, and be there for the children.
What values or principles guided the business across generations?
Family, kindness, resilience, and creating a happy holiday campsite where generations relax, play, and reconnect.
What advice would you give to other families thinking of starting a business?
Be brave, build a strong team, ignore naysayers, and stay determined. It is hard work, but the rewards and legacy are worth it. Danielle is now thriving in mainstream school, and we’re proud of the awards our campsite has received, including West Midlands Best Campsite 2025, West Midlands Best Family Campsite runner-up 2025, and Herefordshire Tourism Award finalist for the welcoming place we built together.
Contact Details:
Tel: 01989 720672 or 07568 940408
Email: info@haywoodfarm.co.uk
Web: haywoodfarm.co.uk
Monmouthshire Cottages
(Image: Monmouthshire Cottages)
Which family members are involved today, and what roles do they play?
Husband and wife team. Fiona Wilton looks after guest comfort, housekeeping, marketing and “front of house” services. Malcolm does accounts, legals, maintenance, hot tub.
What makes your business different from non-family-run companies in your sector?
Our personal arrival touches, welcoming and speedy responses to guests, and willingly flexible ability to tailor our durations to their specific requirements.
We are always available.
How has the business evolved or modernised over the years?
When we began it was postal order bookings for fortnights! Now our website and app give instant information and offer short refreshing getaways, and we modernize cottage contents constantly-but still answer personally. We have hi tech everything from EV chargers to airsource and solar. Modern green efficiency matters but lovely old fashioned guest convenience comes first.
Contact Details:
Tel: 01600 860341
Email: welcome@monmouthshirecottages.co.uk
Web: monmouthshirecottages.co.uk/
Bennetts Ice Cream
(Image: Bennetts Foods Limited)
Can you tell us the story of how your family business began?
Our dairy heritage on Manor Farm dates back to 1918. In 1982, we combined our farming expertise with a passion for indulgence to begin crafting luxury ice cream using our fresh milk.
What values or principles have guided the business across generations?
We are guided by being dependable, innovative and sustainable. We remain committed to environmental and commercial longevity while delivering excellence and a moment of pure indulgence to every customer.
How has the business evolved or modernised over the years?
We’ve recently embraced digitalisation, transitioning from a 30-year old ERP to a modern, cloud-based system for total flexibility. We also continue to greatly benefit from the installation of solar panels, with sufficient coverage to generate more than a third of our total electrical needs.
Contact Details:
Tel: 01905 748150
Email: sales@bennettsfoods.co.uk
Web: bennettsicecream.co.uk
Jordan Williams Upholstery
(Image: Jordan Williams Upholstery)
Can you tell us the story of how your family business began?
My mum, Patricia, decided to embrace our family heritage and pursue traditional upholstery. Having enjoyed a distinguished career as a civil servant and a medical secretary, this was quite the career change.
Which family members are involved today, and what roles do they play?
I run the business, and my dad, Mark, plays a primary role in client acquisition and business planning. We work together in most aspects of the business – it’s not really possible to delineate roles neatly amongst family!
Mum was most recently director of training at our AMUSF-accredited training centre.
In memoriam: Patricia Cooper, 1955 – 2025
Our founder, my mother, Patricia, tragically passed away in December following a period of illness. I owe everything in business, and in life, to her sharp vision, boundless energy, and unconditional love.
Contact Details:
Tel: 01527 336993
Email: hello@jordanwilliams.co.uk
Web: jordanwilliams.co.uk
Kempsey Eco
(Image: Kempsey Eco)
Which family members are involved today, and what roles do they play?
Jon and Emily Bird are the owners and directors of the park. Jon is head director and Emily looks after finances. Their daughter Alice manages the admin, and their son Will and Alice’s husband Elyis run Two Fellers Tree Services which links to the biofuel part of the park, supplying wood chip for the bio mass heater.
How do you separate family life from business life, or do the two naturally blend?
The two definitely blend. Discussing issues at the end of the day can be helpful, but it’s also vital to have time when work is put to one side and family comes first.
How do you handle disagreements or difficult decisions?
It’s important to talk things through, especially when making tough decisions, and to not take things personally.
Contact Details:
Tel: 07791978553
Email: jorgebray@gjsdillon.co.uk
Web: kempseybusinesspark.com
