Clikingo online video service

Until fairly recently if a business wanted to use video to promote themselves the only real option was to advertise on TV, at rates beyond the reach of any small or medium sized enterprise. And even though new technology changed all that -the advent of high speed broadband meaningalmost anyone could have video streaming on their website -video production remained stubbornly and prohibitively expensive.

Ross-based Clikingo, however, was determined to change all that. 'We were doing broadband and web design for people and we saw that despite the factpeople could play videos on the web,the way the video production industry was set up meant no one could afford them,' says CEO Geof Jones.'So we launched with a view to networking a national franchise to provide local, affordable video production.'

The company launched in 2007, but Geof has nearly 20 years experience of running a computer company in Ross. 'The other impetus was the demise of profits in selling computers,' he says.'Once they start being sold in Tesco and so, on it's usually a bad sign.'

Identifying such a gap in the market has meant Clikingo has very quickly developed a loyal, national client base. 'We've got some very large clients,' he says.'The video production and streaming side has been taking off nicely, but the beauty is we've been able to re-align the computer business into digital signage, which compliments the fact that we do content. To combine our knowledge of networks and signage with content creation is actually quite unique in the industry.'

Digital signage can cover anything from in-store promotions and trade show exhibitions to bulletin boards to interactive kiosks, and the company also provides extensive advice and training for clients unsure of how to navigate this unfamiliar world. 'We want to give people an information awareness that's different from what you usually see,' he says.

So what would he say to someone thinking of relocating for a better quality of life but worried about being out of the technology and networking loop? 'Ross-on-Wye is a technology hub,' he says.'We were one of the first rural areas in the country to have high speed broadband. But it's not just that - it's also the  road network. I can get to 80 per cent of the UK in two hours. Being in Ross is probably the best place in the country in terms of roads - the Welsh like us because we're so close to the border, so you get the best of both worlds. I can do Birmingham, Swindon, Cardiff or Bristol within the hour, Milton Keynes orReading within two and London or Manchester in not much more. It's a great place to be based.'

And it's obviously rare to have that combined with a peaceful, relaxing environment. 'The lifestyle is different,' he says.'I was in Cheltenham and Gloucester before and there's traffic jams on the way to work and so on- here you just don't get that. You don't get stressed in Ross, it's too laid back.In Victorian times it was the place to be - the aristocrats used to come here and walk by the river. It's just one of those places where you can come and instantly relax.'

It all adds up to a great quality of life, he says. 'The restaurants in the area are second to none, with first rate chefs. There's an extremely low unemployment level, and a lot of wealth behind the scenes - Sir John Harvey Jones and Dennis Potter both lived here - but it's not City boys boasting about it. It's quite a little gem, really.'