Biddle & Byre, a countrywear brand launched from a family home just outside Tavistock, has secured three business award finalist places in its first year.
Founder Jessica Kirby came up with the idea during late-night feeds with her newborn son. After launching earlier in 2026, she is now shortlisted for Best New Business and Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the UK Small Business Awards.
Jessica is also a finalist for Consumer Entrepreneur of the Year for the South West at the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
For the Devon founder, the recognition marks an encouraging start to a business inspired by the countryside around her home. Life on the edge of Dartmoor helped shape the collection, while pheasants that regularly visit the family’s garden provided the inspiration for its distinctive emblem.
How Biddle & Byre began
“Biddle & Byre started in the middle of the night, sitting in a nursing chair with my newborn son,” Jessica said. “I was trying to keep myself occupied during those long nights and started thinking about a countrywear brand. Before long, it was an idea I couldn’t stop thinking about. At that point I had absolutely no idea whether anyone would actually buy anything.
“I just knew I wanted to give it a go. There was a lot to learn, and there still is, but seeing the first orders come through and knowing people were choosing to spend their money on something we’d created was a pretty incredible feeling.”
The growing collection includes rugby shirts and quarter zips alongside organic cotton polos, sweatshirts and caps. Its pheasant emblem reflects the brand’s signature line, “A Mark of Country Life”.
Jessica’s story brings a West Devon perspective to the awards, showing how an idea rooted in family life and the local landscape can develop into an online retail business.
“To now be shortlisted for three national business awards in our first year is quite surreal,” she said. “We’re still a very young business, and there’s so much more I want to do, but it’s a lovely moment to look back and realise how far we’ve come.”
The finalist places span awards for a new business and its founder, as well as recognition within the consumer sector. For Jessica, they also offer a chance to acknowledge the customers who have supported the launch.
“These awards are a wonderful bit of encouragement, particularly at such an early stage. But more than anything, I’m grateful to everyone who’s placed an order, recommended us to a friend or simply taken the time to support what we’re doing. It really does make a difference to a small business like ours.”
Explore the collection at Biddle & Byre’s website.
Devon business owners can also raise their local profile with a free company listing on Devon Business Directory.
Al Gibson
Alistair Gibson is the founder of Countdown Creative and editor of Devon Business News. A journalist and communications specialist, he combines traditional storytelling with digital media to help businesses communicate clearly and get noticed. He has lived and worked in Devon since 2007, building strong connections with businesses and organisations across Plymouth, Exeter and the wider South West.
