Oceanic Woodstore
Founded in Brighton in 2023, Jim Callender is a Sussex-based woodworker with a passion for creating pieces that genuinely last. Oceanic Woodstore crafts handmade furniture and home décor, from striking resin river dining tables and coffee tables to solid oak doorstops, reclaimed benches and handmade chopping boards. Every piece that leaves Jim's studio is made entirely by hand and built to be one of a kind.
Jim initially began his business by selling through online maker platforms such as Etsy, using early sales to reinvest in better tools and eventually move into a dedicated workshop space. It was a process of testing the market, learning the craft and steadily building a reputation for quality.
“When I first started doing it, I really didn’t understand the skills or quality required by customers,” Jim reflects. “Looking back at our first year’s work, we’ve come a long way in getting it right, in terms of expertise and also the quality of our tools and workshop studio space.”
Since relocating to Newhaven Enterprise Centre, Oceanic Woodstore has gone from strength to strength. With raw materials delivered directly to the workshop and finished products shipped to customers across the UK, the location has given Jim the operational setup he needed to focus on making. But it is the community that has made the biggest impression.
“A highlight for my business has to have been moving to Newhaven Enterprise Centre. The support and welcome we’ve received have been incredible. It sounds cliché, but we really are part of a caring business community.”
Alongside his furniture range, Jim runs small creative classes from the studio, offering customers the chance to come in and craft their own resin pieces under his guidance, a side of the business he is keen to grow further.
Supporting Growth Through the NEZ Grant Schemes
Shortly after settling into the centre, Jim accessed grant funding through the Newhaven Enterprise Zone's Low Carbon Investment Fund, delivered in partnership with Let's Do Business Group. The funding supported investment in more energy-efficient workshop equipment and improved air purification systems within the studio, practical improvements that have made the workspace healthier and more sustainable on a day-to-day basis.
Working with Business Manager Emily throughout the process, Jim found the support made what can often feel like a daunting application much more straightforward.
“With the help of Emily, we achieved funding. Emily knew exactly what was required. She assisted us in completing various parts of the application process, which made the whole process easier and saved us lots of time.”
The funding Jim accessed formed part of the Newhaven Enterprise Zone's Low Carbon Investment Fund, which has since evolved into a new, expanded scheme. Let's Do Business Group is working to deliver the NEZ Business Growth Fund as part of Newhaven Forward 2026–2028, which brings together support for low-carbon investment and capital projects into one flexible grant scheme. Businesses based within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone can apply for grants of up to £15,000 towards projects that drive genuine business growth and align with the Enterprise Zone's strategic aims.
Looking ahead, Jim's plans are firmly focused on growth. In the short term, he is working on creating larger statement furniture pieces using locally and sustainably sourced wood. In the longer term, his vision is to build a well-known creative brand in Newhaven, one that brings together the furniture range and a growing programme of hands-on classes where people can come and learn new skills directly from Jim himself.
Are you a business based within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone? The NEZ Business Growth Fund offers grants of up to £15,000 to help businesses invest and grow. Find out more and apply at the NEZ Business Growth Fund page.
Interested in joining Jim and the many other businesses calling Newhaven Enterprise Centre home? Get in touch with our team today.