One Year In: Settling Into Our New (Old) HQ

One Year In - and Our HQ Feels Like Home 

Every business has an origin story. 
Ours just happens to start in a garden shed. 

From those humble beginnings, Mucky Nutz grew into a double garage, then into a cramped upstairs leasehold on the outskirts of Bude. It served us well, but as the brand evolved, the walls felt like they were closing in, mostly because they were stacked to the ceiling with stock. 

A year ago, after years of dreaming, planning, and waiting, we finally made the move into our new freehold HQ right in the heart of bustling Bude. Close to shops, close to people, and close enough to the beach to wander down for a coffee and a breather. 

Twelve months later, we’re fully settled in… although there’s still the odd bit of titivating, furnishing, and fine-tuning happening in every corner. Old buildings like this like to keep you on your toes. 

And speaking of old buildings… 

Two Years to Get The Hammers Out 

Securing the building was one thing; getting permission to renovate it was another.  

Because of its position in a conservation area, we had to wait almost two years from an offer being accepted, to being able to lift a hammer. But, we finally got there, getting plans drawn up, jumping through the necessary administrative hoops, putting the work out to tender, and securing our brilliant building contractor, Clark Construction. And, of course waiting until the roosting birds had left.

Once the construction team got started, however, it took them no time to rip the place to bits and rebuild it, with unbelievable care, quality and speed. After two years of waiting, it took just four months, to complete the works and move in.   

Here’s a glimpse at what went into bringing the building back to life: 

One of those surprises? 
A giant rat wedged inside a drain pipe, blocking the plumbing like a furry cork. Because of course. 

Hidden Treasures: It's All Part of The Charm 

Old buildings never reveal everything at once. 

We discovered the building had more history and character than we ever expected. And even now, we’re still discovering odd quirks and historic leftovers tucked into corners: 

We later learned the building originally served as Bude’s Chapel of Rest. The space still awaiting renovation was once the embalming room. Today, it’s our makeshift photography studio. We’re focused on bringing the space back to life, not its past dwellers. 

It’s all part of the charm. Every find adds another layer to the story. 

The New HQ: Space to Work, Think & Grow 

Twelve months in, the place works the way we had always hoped: 

We’ve also let out the self-contained unit to The Plant Room, officially making us landlords; something we definitely didn’t foresee back in the shed days.  

What’s Next? Options… Lots of Options 

Only the front half of the building is complete, but the rear half is where the future lies. 

Current plans (subject to change as ideas evolve): 

Nothing is set in stone yet, and that’s the best part. This building gives us room to grow Mucky Nutz the way we want, at the right pace, in a space completely our own.  

A Massive Thank You 

This milestone wouldn’t be possible without: 

Here’s to Year Two - and Everything After 

The building isn’t finished, and it probably never will be. That’s the nature of spaces with history - they evolve. 

But one year in, we’re proud, settled, grateful, and excited for what’s next. 

— The Mucky Nutz Team