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If you have any news about your business you’d like to see here please contact our News Editor, Carolyn Moss, at [email protected] or call her on 01305 575155. Follow us on Twitter @BreadButterNews for updates.
Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
Wadworth announce plans for new brewery
Family brewer and pub operator Wadworth, established in 1875, has announced plans to build a new brewery that “protects the company’s history and heritage for the long term”.
Chief executive Chris Welham said, “We are hugely proud of our Wiltshire roots and the great beers that we provide for our customers. In this modern world, we need to be even more flexible as a brewer to meet changing market demand and also ensure that we are geared up for the long-term development of the company. After a thorough review of our 1885 brewery and our plant and equipment, we have determined that it is coming to the end of its useful life. The building itself poses a number of challenges and we need our plant to be set up to be much more agile to brew beer in a variety of production sizes. Wrapping all of this up has led us to the conclusion that we are best placed building a new brewery that will enable us to safeguard our brewing legacy for years to come.
“There remains a great deal to do, to tie things down more accurately in a host of areas in terms of location, cost and resources. The plans for a new brewery will take some time and we will continue to brew as normal until a new facility comes online. We would ideally like to have commissioned a new facility within three to four years from now. Rest assured, our future remains as a brewer and a regional pub operator. As a key Wiltshire employer, this is an exciting time in the development of Wadworth and the future of the business.”
Cotswolds Distillery crowdfund for whisky
Cotswold Distillery has launched a crowdfunding campaign to maximise its whisky production and continue its brand-building programme.
Located in Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, the distillery plans to expand its portfolio of English whisky with new releases. They will follow its Founder’s Choice, Peated and Lord Mayors Reserves expressions.
Dan Szor, founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery said, “We pride ourselves on creating award-winning English whiskies that are enjoyed across the world, and, are always looking for new investors to join us on this journey. In this funding round, we’re hoping to secure investment which will carry us through the next chapter in the distillery’s evolution and help support us in creating even more delicious whisky!”
In 2018, the Cotswolds Distillery successfully raised £3 million of equity and invested the funds into several new high-profile industry hires, and contributed to the Visitor Centre with tasting rooms, an exhibition space and a café, which was completed in April 2019.
The next Cotswolds Distillery investment round opens on Monday 2nd December 2019 and will run until Monday 13th January 2020.
For more information on the crowdfunding drive, please visit
https://equity.cotswoldsdistillery.com/
Devon Tourism Awards winners
The 10th annual Devon Tourism Awards were presented on the 28th November 2019 at the Riviera Centre in Torquay. There was a record number of 240 entries across 27 categories with 167 businesses receiving visits from judges as part of the judging process.
North Hayne Farm Cottages took the Winner of Winners award alongside Gold awards for Access and Inclusivity and Self Catering. Guest speaker Michael Smith was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award, presented by Visit Devon Chair Rhys Roberts in recognition of his work in “sustainable development and the encouragement of local food and drink”.
A special award for Energy Efficiency was presented by headline sponsor Beco Energy to River Dart Country Park, who also took Gold awards for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, Camping and Caravanning Park and a joint Gold with Salcombe Distilling for Small Attraction.
Food and Drink Golds went to Valley View Café, The Waterfront Pub & Dining, and Harry’s Restaurant. The top Hotel awards went to Paschoe House and Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa, with the 25 Boutique B&B taking Gold in the B&B and Guesthouse category. Other Accommodation Golds went to Devon Yurt and Ladram Bay Holiday Park.
Lisa Bradford from the Cary Arms took the special Customer Service Superstar award. Golds were also awarded to Pennywell Farm in the Large Attraction category, Reach Outdoors in both Active & Sporting and Learning Experience, Ilsington Country House Hotel and Spa in the Spa and Wellbeing category and Kents Cavern for International Visitor Experience.
Event Exeter was the top winner in the Business Events Venue category, with Kitley House Hotel taking the top Wedding Venue award. There were two Dog-Friendly Golds – one going to Woodland Cottages and the other to the Cadeleigh Arms.
Organiser Robin Barker commented: “The Devon Tourism Awards have been an extraordinary success story, helping hundreds of tourism businesses of all sizes to excel and gain the recognition they deserve. I am humbled to be part of it – and congratulate everyone for their innovation, passion and sheer hard work.”
The full list of winners can be viewed at www.devontourismawards.org.uk.
Dorset coffee independent opens fresh food deli
Dorset-based independent Naked Coffee has opened its first deli. The Naked Deli International is situated in Bournemouth University’s International College and joins three other stores launched since it was founded in 2016 by Ian Saul.
He said: “We are very excited to unveil our first deli. Since 2016 we have enjoyed steady growth as people have responded to Naked Coffee’s vision. The deli has been created in direct response to our customers’ requests for quality, fresh and tasty, largely locally sourced food and coffee on the go.
“I think some people thought we were slightly mad to start an independent coffee brand, but Naked was created to try to make a change to the commercial industry it was born into.
“We’ve always tried to do things differently to the larger coffee companies. For one, we are one of only a tiny number of coffee roasters who use convection roasting methods, which unlike traditional gas roasting, results in carbon-free emissions…
“I’d be lying if I said it has been easy. We compete daily against formidable, global brands in a very crowded marketplace. It’s also a constant challenge keeping our ethical roots in a business where cost-cutting is standard and fake ethics are common. But I think we have kept our feet strongly on the ground and I think our customers genuinely appreciate and support what we are trying to do.”
Salcombe Distilling hits crowdfunding target
Salcombe Distilling Co. (SDCo.) hit its crowdfunding target of £800,000 in under 24 hours of going live. This makes it “one of the fastest-growing gin brands in the UK with 400% growth in the last 2 full years of trading,” according to a spokesperson.
Using crowdfunding platform Seedrs, the South Devon-based brand founded in 2016 received “huge interest from investors” and there is still time to invest as SDco. are accepting overfunding beyond their initial target.
Co-founder Howard Davies, comments: “We’ve had three epic years of explosive growth and now is a really exciting time for investors to get involved with the company. Having smashed our target in less than 24 hours, this will enable us to take the business to the next level internationally and significant overfunding will catapult us towards our ambition of being the world’s number one luxury gin brand.”
SDCo. won international awards for their flagship gin Start Point and limited-edition Voyager Series. This year they introduced Rosé Sainte Marie, a dry rosé gin with no added sugar.
Taste of the West to provide members’ legal services
Taste of the West is partnering with Bright Solicitors to provide legal services to their members.
Taste of the West Legal Services will provide a comprehensive offering to members including HR and employment advice, drafting and review of employment documentation, advice on employment status and contracts for self-employed workers and a GDPR compliance service. Taste of the West members will also be entitled to a free business health check.
Matt Cook, head of Bright’s Commercial Team said: “We believe our history and ethos provide us with a unique advantage when working with Taste of the West’s members. We are ourselves a growing local business, so we understand the challenges our clients are facing. Working with Taste of the West gives a great opportunity to further tailor our services to the needs of their membership and work in partnership with them to provide a service of real value and relevance.”
John Sheaves, CEO of Taste of the West Ltd said: “This is a real opportunity for our members. We chose to work alongside Bright Solicitors because we recognised that their values and vision for the future aligned with our own, and with the offering we want to provide to our members. We’ve worked with Bright solicitors for some time now and feel that their approach will really benefit our members.”
FOOD AND DRINK NEWS
No-nut peanut ice cream
New Forest Ice Cream has introduced a new No-nut Peanut Brittle flavour to their range, responding to the increasing demand for nut-free products. It’s made from a peanut-flavoured dairy base and pieces of caramelised toffee for what the producer describes as “that ‘I can’t believe it’s not peanut’ experience”.
Christina Veal, director, New Forest Ice Cream said: “We pride ourselves on producing all our ice cream and sorbet in a completely nut-free manufacturing facility which produces our scoop ice cream, 120ml, 500ml ice creams and sorbets. We are proud to be leading the way in innovation and developing new flavours that meet all our customers’ needs in the ever-evolving sector.
We have been determined to create a ‘nutty’ ice cream recipe so that even those with nut allergies can enjoy the delicious taste of our new No-nut Peanut Brittle flavour. It delivers an authentic peanut flavour intertwined with chunks of caramelised no-nut brittle for a truly unique taste that is 100% allergy safe.”
It’s available in 4ltr & 4.75ltr Napoli catering tubs. Visit www.newforesticecream.com or call 01590 647611 for details.
APPOINTMENTS
Wyke Farms’ cheese grader joins board
The UK’s largest independent cheese producer, Wyke Farms, has appointed Diane Cox as group technical director. Joining the board of directors, she will be responsible for all business quality and technical functions.
Cox joined Wyke Farms in 2005 as one of “only a handful of female cheese graders in the UK”. Trained for 10 years by Nigel ‘the Nose’ Pooley, who is thought to have graded some 50 million packs of cheese and butter in his career, she took the role of Master Cheese Grader in 2017. As well as being one of the few women to reach that level she joins the 8.5% of female executive directors serving on boards of directors in the UK.
Rich Clothier, third-generation family member and managing director says: “It is not about diversity box-ticking, it’s about ‘diversity of thought’ on the board; something we need to be successful and something Diane brings in abundance.”
Wyke Farms sells over 15,000 tonnes of cheese and butter annually and has over 150 years of family farming experience from its base in Bruton, Somerset.
PROPERTY
Cotswolds manor house hotel for offers over £6m
Dumbleton Hall Hotel, a historic property close to Cheltenham in the Cotswolds AONB is on the market for offers over £6 million with Colliers International.
The 38-bedroom manor house dates from the 1880s and has a substantial restaurant and “well-furnished…grand public areas”. It’s set in nearly 16 acres of parkland, complete with an ornamental lake.
Peter Brunt, director of Hotels Agency at Colliers International, commented: “In my opinion, this is the most significant single asset hotel opportunity to become available in the Cotswolds for a generation.
“It is not common to find a combination of accessibility and seclusion, but Dumbleton Hall offers both, and adds to that beautiful architecture plus an exquisite setting and therefore it gives the opportunity to create an outstanding hotel of very rare quality.”
Price reduced on Cornish inn
The owners of the Old Ferry Inn have reduced the asking price on their Cornish coach house in Bodinnick, near Fowey. Originally on the market in August for £1.2 million for the freehold, the vendor is now considering offers in the region of £1,050,000 for the property on the Polperro Heritage Coast.
The inn has 11 letting bedrooms, ten doubles and a family room for four, a bar, lounge, restaurant and river terraces with stunning views. There is also a two-bedroom owner’s flat with lounge and family bathroom.
Ed Jefferson, from Colliers International’s hotels team, said: “The current owner is reluctantly selling the property, due to personal reasons.
“Since acquiring it, in late August 2018, the vendor renewed much of the property’s equipment and redecorated substantial parts of the property.
“Several notable walks begin and end at this characterful coaching inn which also serves as the perfect stopover for the steady stream of motorists who are heading further into the peninsula; the area is well-located, being just seven miles from St Austell and ten miles from the A30.”