Mayor and musician open new office for Plum

The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, officially opened the new offices of award-winning PR and marketing agency, Plum Communications & PR, in a lively launch event that was attended by local businesses and renowned local, Ryan Inglis.

The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Cllr Keith Morris, cut the ribbon as Plum welcomed a host of clients and suppliers to their newly converted offices at Purn House Farm, Bleadon on Thursday 19 December, to celebrate their expansion with a festive event. Following the ceremony, Ryan Inglis, singer/songwriter, national finalist of Live and Unsigned and client of Plum, entertained guests by performing classic Christmas hits and tracks from his album, while Plum team members served guests with warm mulled cider and mince pies.

The event was very well supported by a number of local businesses, including Cupcake Cassidy who provided special plum pudding cupcakes and a celebration cake, and award-winning Hewish-based Crossman’s Cider who provided delicious mulled cider.

Karen Morledge, managing director of Plum Communications & PR, said: “I’m still amazed that I founded Plum from home in 2010 and it’s grown from a standing-start to the point where I’m opening a new office.

“I remember starting with just a laptop, mobile phone and contacts book in my spare-bedroom-come-office and, with a little luck and a lot of hard work, it wasn’t long before companies were approaching me to ask for help. It soon became clear that Plum was going to grow much quicker than the lovely looking graph in my weighty business plan had predicted!

“Over the last three years, we have worked with a wonderfully diverse range of clients, from a Taunton-based property developer, Summerfield, to social housing organisations such as Spectrum Housing Group, and from large scale public sector bodies including North Somerset Council to ambitious start-ups such as Cognition Learning & Development, not to mention hugely gifted musicians like Ryan Inglis; Plum wouldn’t be here without them.

“I’m also thankful to everyone who’s helped behind the scenes: my team and business partners such as North Somerset Enterprise Agency, who were a huge help when I was starting the business, the developers of Purn House Farm, Alistair and Rob House, and the companies who provided the cupcakes and cider.”

The Mayor commented: “Many congratulations to Karen. It’s clear this business is a success because of all of the hard work that’s gone into it. It should also be noted that Plum’s growth is good news for the area; the office move has helped create jobs locally, and Plum supports a variety businesses across Weston-super-Mare and surrounding areas. I know that Karen continues to have ambitious expansion plans, so I’m sure that this is only the start.”

The expansion is part of the company’s ‘2020 vision’ for business growth in its continued endeavours to provide a range of effective marketing, communications and PR services in Somerset and throughout the South West.