Case Study: How The EPOS Bureau has helped shape Farndon Fields' future

January 25, 2023
  • For more than 25 years, The EPOS Bureau has provided technology and software to farm shop and food retail businesses in the UK and Ireland. 
  • The long-standing relationship with Market Harborough-based Farndon Fields is a prime example of what can be achieved over the long term. 
  • Farndon Fields credits The EPOS Bureau as being 'instrumental' in the growth of their business – and the farm shop industry.

For 40 years, Farndon Fields in Market Harborough has been supplying the local community and beyond with the finest farm food. 


From humble beginnings in 1983, when potatoes were the primary product, the business has evolved and expanded under the watchful guidance of Kevin and Milly Stokes. 


Today, Farndon Fields boasts a farm shop, butchery, fresh fish and deli counters, The Farmer's Kitchen restaurant and gift shop. 


And they're all supported by technology and software provided by ClearCourse business, The EPOS Bureau, which, for the past 25 years, has provided farm shops and food retailers across the UK and Ireland with the software and hardware solutions they need to run their businesses. 

ClearCourse Farndon Fields Product Printed Information

Authenticity and customer connection key for The EPOS Bureau 


The EPOS Bureau joined ClearCourse in 2021 but the team has always lived our ethos of Working Better Together by ensuring their clients have the tools they need to address the challenges of modern retailing.


And their relationship with Farndon Fields is a prime example of that. 


Since 2006, The EPOS Bureau has provided point-of-sale technology to Farndon Fields. And, as the farm shop business has evolved and grown, so too has The EPOS Bureau's solution. 


Today, The EPOS Bureau provides a holistic solution to Farndon Fields that connects all parts of their business and financial visibility, as well as point-of-sale solutions via tills and tablets that enable orders to be taken and directed to the correct department. 


"Since those early days, The EPOS Bureau has been instrumental in enabling us to grow our business to what it is today," says Kevin Stokes, Managing Director at Farndon Fields. 


"The power of their till system and the efficiencies it brings has been the cornerstone in helping us to grow, while the reporting and analysis we get are invaluable and allow us to manage every aspect of our operation."


A business relationship that's enjoyed such longevity is a testament to the mutual respect the two companies have, as well as The EPOS Bureau's deep industry knowledge. 


Nigel Bogle, Founder and Managing Director of The EPOS Bureau, says, "During our relationship, we've worked together to find solutions that have helped Farndon Fields flourish." 


"We have a shared purpose in ensuring the business keeps growing, which has been at the heart of everything. It's been a hugely productive relationship – one that's built on mutual respect."

ClearCourse Farndon Fields Software on Tablet

Helping farm shops to keep on growing 


It's a relationship that will continue to grow and evolve. As part of its succession planning, Farndon Fields has recently appointed Kevin and Milly's son, Oli, as a Director – and he appreciated the importance of partnering with a business that genuinely understands the sector in which they're working. 


He says The EPOS Bureau has been integral to Farndon Fields' success and that of the farm shop industry in the UK, too. 


"A lot of the growth we've had, and a lot of the popularity, is down to the technology. I would go as far as crediting The EPOS Bureau with enabling the farm shop industry, because their technology is the backbone of retail. It has allowed farmers to diversify into selling their produce – and doing so efficiently so they can scale." 


Here at ClearCourse, we believe technology and software really should enable businesses to achieve much, much more, and The EPOS Bureau certainly sets the standard in both terms of the quality of its relationships – as well as the quality of its solution. 

A member of staff at a farm shop smiles as she operates an EPOS terminal
July 29, 2025
LONDON 29 July 2025: ClearCourse, the provider of industry-specific software and embedded payment solutions for SMEs, announces the acquisition of Davidson Richards, a leading retail management and EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems provider. Davidson Richards provides cloud-based management and EPOS systems tailored to the retail industry. Founded in 1977 and based in Derby, Davidson Richards launched its flagship product, OpSuite, in 2012 after recognising the need to address gaps left by off-the-shelf products. Today, OpSuite enables retailers to centralise and streamline operations by integrating with core systems such as accounting software, eCommerce platforms, mobile and loyalty applications, and warehousing. Trusted by many leading garden centres – a sector where OpSuite has established a strong reputation – its extensive functionality also makes it suitable for a broad range of sectors, including grocery, fashion, and furniture. Joining the ClearCourse group will enable Davidson Richards to expand their offerings, providing customers with in-house payment and eCommerce solutions. By offering these in partnership with other specialist ClearCourse companies, Davidson Richards will be able to focus on building new client relationships and to profile the benefits of OpSuite to new retail market segments. Led by a long-serving expert team including ex-retailers, Davidson Richards offers its clients consultancy, training, bespoke development and dedicated in-house support. Their customer centric approach means that many of the Davidson Richards team are directly involved in technical or support delivery for clients to provide greater value to its clients. ClearCourse aims to become the engine powering small and medium businesses across the UK by putting big tech solutions in the hands of founders and their growing businesses. Davidson Richards offers a clear opportunity for ClearCourse to deepen its presence in the retail sector, and its long-standing, loyal customer base and experienced team closely align with ClearCourse’s culture and values. Christina Hamilton, CEO of ClearCourse said: “We are delighted to welcome Davidson Richards into the ClearCourse group as part of our Retail & Hospitality Software vertical. OpSuite is a market leading product that is well positioned to expand its innovative offering into new sectors. We are excited about the natural integration this partnership enables, as OpSuite will be able to offer in-house payment and other commerce enabling solutions through the wider ClearCourse group products.” Keith Bateman, Sales Director at Davidson Richards said: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for our business and customers. Joining the ClearCourse group will enable us to enhance the service we offer our customers, particularly through the introduction of an in-house Electronic Funds Transfer solution. ClearCourse is the ideal partner to help us to grow the business through an increased investment into marketing and to reach more customers.”
June 25, 2025
LONDON, 25 June 2025 : ClearCourse, a provider of industry-specific software and embedded payment solutions for SMEs and targeted enterprises, today announced the appointment of Sacha Bielawski as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Sacha will lead ClearCourse’s financial strategy, working with senior leaders to accelerate organic growth, drive profitable sales, and deliver the company’s goal of being a leading engine powering small and mid-sized businesses across the UK. Before joining ClearCourse, Sacha spent nearly nine years as Chief Financial Officer at Coople, a leading digital staffing agency, where he led corporate expansion initiatives and oversaw the Group’s financial strategy. He has also held senior roles within private equity and investment firms, where he focused on identifying and scaling high-potential businesses through strategic M&A, financial restructuring and investment projects across Europe and the US. Sacha builds on the achievements of Mark Grafton who will be leaving the company later this month. “We’re delighted to welcome Sacha Bielawski as ClearCourse’s new CFO at this exciting time in the company’s continued evolution” said Christina Hamilton, CEO. “His extensive expertise in scaling businesses, leading growth acceleration programmes and driving innovation and efficiency will be instrumental in delivering our next phase of growth.” “I am delighted to join ClearCourse at such a pivotal time in its journey,” Sacha Bielawski said . “I believe the company is well-positioned to capitalise on the convergence of software and payments, an accelerating trend that presents compelling organic growth opportunities over the coming years. “As ClearCourse continues to acquire software companies in high growth verticals, I look forward to leveraging my entrepreneurial experience to engage with business owners considering a partnership with ClearCourse and to support them post-acquisition to grow further within our platform. “ClearCourse is a business with significant potential, and I am excited to contribute to its next chapter of growth and long-term value creation.”