A contemporary brewery is causing a stir with some of the UKââ¬â¢s largest retailers, Hardknott Brewery in Millom has just signed a deal with Marks & Spencer to supply its North West stores with two of its most popular beers.
The brewery was approached by the high street chain to see if it would be interested in supplying its Azimuth and Infra-Red beers in stores across the region.
The deal comes just two months after another major contract which saw the brewery agree to stock three of its beers to more than 200 Morrisons stores across the UK.
David Bailey, director of Hardknott Brewery, is delighted to have secured the deal.
He said: ââ¬ÅMorrisons is a significant deal for us in that itââ¬â¢s accounting for about 50 per cent of our sales but I think the main attraction of M&S is the prestige.
ââ¬ÅEveryone recognises it as a good quality store so itââ¬â¢s nice to be involved with that and weââ¬â¢re hoping to work further with them.ââ¬Â
With bottles flying off the shelves across the country, Hardknott Brewery is struggling to keep up with demand and is making plans to secure its future.
Mr Bailey said: ââ¬ÅIn the short term itââ¬â¢s going to be a challenge.
ââ¬ÅWe have already started to plan for the future and weââ¬â¢re getting to the point where the facilities weââ¬â¢ve got have us struggling to keep up with demand so weââ¬â¢re starting to look to that future.ââ¬Â
In addition to looking to expand its facilities, the brewery is also keen to expand its workforce and is in the process of recruiting a highly skilled assistant brewer.
Mr Bailey is also keen to keep his produce alive with fresh ideas and new tastes.
He explained: ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s about producing something different and Iââ¬â¢m always looking out more ideas. We could produce a new stout or IPA or maybe weââ¬â¢ll make a lager one day ââ¬â who knows?ââ¬Â
In addition to producing new ideas, the team also believes itââ¬â¢s crucial to promote an image that represents its brand and identity.
Mr Bailey continued: ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s important to look at the image thatââ¬â¢s projected,
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢re always very careful to make sure that we do something with the brand and the image and to make sure that these are all aligned.
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢re trying to be more contemporary and more modern and itââ¬â¢s about engaging with that right across the board.ââ¬Â
Store finder - http://hardknott.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/which-morrisons.html
North west evening mail.
The brewery was approached by the high street chain to see if it would be interested in supplying its Azimuth and Infra-Red beers in stores across the region.
The deal comes just two months after another major contract which saw the brewery agree to stock three of its beers to more than 200 Morrisons stores across the UK.
David Bailey, director of Hardknott Brewery, is delighted to have secured the deal.
He said: ââ¬ÅMorrisons is a significant deal for us in that itââ¬â¢s accounting for about 50 per cent of our sales but I think the main attraction of M&S is the prestige.
ââ¬ÅEveryone recognises it as a good quality store so itââ¬â¢s nice to be involved with that and weââ¬â¢re hoping to work further with them.ââ¬Â
With bottles flying off the shelves across the country, Hardknott Brewery is struggling to keep up with demand and is making plans to secure its future.
Mr Bailey said: ââ¬ÅIn the short term itââ¬â¢s going to be a challenge.
ââ¬ÅWe have already started to plan for the future and weââ¬â¢re getting to the point where the facilities weââ¬â¢ve got have us struggling to keep up with demand so weââ¬â¢re starting to look to that future.ââ¬Â
In addition to looking to expand its facilities, the brewery is also keen to expand its workforce and is in the process of recruiting a highly skilled assistant brewer.
Mr Bailey is also keen to keep his produce alive with fresh ideas and new tastes.
He explained: ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s about producing something different and Iââ¬â¢m always looking out more ideas. We could produce a new stout or IPA or maybe weââ¬â¢ll make a lager one day ââ¬â who knows?ââ¬Â
In addition to producing new ideas, the team also believes itââ¬â¢s crucial to promote an image that represents its brand and identity.
Mr Bailey continued: ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s important to look at the image thatââ¬â¢s projected,
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢re always very careful to make sure that we do something with the brand and the image and to make sure that these are all aligned.
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢re trying to be more contemporary and more modern and itââ¬â¢s about engaging with that right across the board.ââ¬Â
Store finder - http://hardknott.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/which-morrisons.html
North west evening mail.
