Tag Archives: Wales

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Asda to stock Thirsty Farmer ciders in stores across England & Wales

Asda to stock Thirsty Farmer ciders in stores across England & Wales

 

LEEDS, England, 2017-May-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — The trend for craft beer and cider continues, particularly for a small Craft Cider Maker in Nottinghamshire, which is celebrating after securing two regional listings with Asda that will stock two craft ciders in 50 of its stores in England.

Asda will be the first national supermarket to stock the Premium cider, which will be hitting the shelves together with the Medium cider from Monday 22 May.

Thirsty Farmer is considered the ‘original Nottinghamshire Cider’, taking the family’s Somerset farming heritage to the Nottinghamshire- Leicestershire border.

The Fear family has been making Cider for generations, but it wasn’t until 1880 before the first commercial batch was sold by Mr Metford Fear to a public house in Weston Super Mare.

For many years, the same cider was made for friends, family and colleagues by Mr John Fear on his farms in the South West and John continues to help his son, Andrew, to make the cider today, having passed down the art of real cider making.
In 2005, Andrew settled in Sutton Bonington and began to produce the Cider, as “Thirsty Farmer Cider”, which was awarded two Gold Stars by the Guild of Fine Food in the 2011 & 2012 Great Taste Awards.

Andrew Fear, Cider Maker at Thirsty Farmer, commented: “We are delighted to have secured two regional listings with Asda.
“We are very excited to be able to offer customers the option of purchasing their favourite Craft Cider whilst doing the weekly shop, whilst also reaching out to new customers and spread the Thirsty Farmer word.
“This new deal is a great example of the supermarket’s commitment to supporting local suppliers, no matter how big or small the brand.

The new deal will see the following lines stocked in stores across England and Wales:
Premium cider (6% vol, 500ml) – a long fermented farmhouse cider that has been filtered and carbonated to produce a refreshing, slightly sparkling, crisp, clear and distinctive, bittersweet apple taste.
Medium cider (4.5% vol, 500ml) – a more traditional long fermented, still farmhouse cider, rich amber in colour and slightly cloudy with a rich, ripe apple scent.

Alan Jackson, Buying Manager – Local BWS and Core Ambient, said: “It’s clear that customers are trading up to more premium products, particularly ones which come from local cider makers, so we are delighted to be the first national supermarket to list the Premium Cider line.

a“Cider is traditionally made in the West Country, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Kent, however Thirsty Farmer are really embracing Nottinghamshire and continue to invest in local orchards to reduce reliance on cider apple varieties trucked in from Herefordshire and the West Country.”

PRESS CONTACT:
0113 826 2829

Source: ASDA

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UK: New B&M store opens in Welshpool, Wales

Hartlepool, United Kingdom, 2017-May-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Locals in Welshpool were celebrating on Saturday as the ribbon was cut on the town’s long awaited B&M store.

Based on Mill Lane Retail Park, the Bargains Store has created 40 new jobs for local people, which comes as a welcome boost to the local economy.

Visitors to the store will be able to browse a wide range of branded and own label products, including toys, groceries, health & beauty and pet products.

Store colleagues nominated a local charity, the Heulwen Trust, to receive some VIP treatment and help open the store.

The Trust aim to bring enjoyment and pleasure to disabled children and adults, with the motto of “bringing sunshine to people’s lives”.

They offer exciting scenic canal boat trips through some of the most beautiful Welsh countryside, with over 69,000 people with disabilities having enjoyed free daily trips.

In addition to cutting the ribbon, the trust also received £250 worth of B&M vouchers as a thank you for taking part and all their hard work in the community.

Also appearing on opening day was the Deputy Mayor of Welshpool, Councillor Hazel Evans, who gratefully accepted an invitation to attend.

Darren Fountain, B&M Darren Fountain, store manager, said: “The team from Heulwen Trust really stood out for us as they go the extra mile for the community, we wanted to give them some VIP treatment as a thank you for all the hard work they do.

“We hope that our donation can help them to continue the great work they do.”

He also commented: “The new team have been working really hard to get the store ready for opening day and we couldn’t wait to get the doors open and show customers their new B&M Welshpool.”

The fun didn’t stop once the ribbon was cut, with a face painter on hand to transform customers into their favourite super heroes, animals or characters.

Contact:

email: press@bmstores.co.uk

Source: B&M

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Co-op continues to investment in Wales with plans for 12 new food stores in 2017

MANCHESTER, England, 2017-Apr-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is creating up to 250 retail roles with plans to open 12 new food stores in Wales during 2017.

The community retailer’s continued investment in Wales will see a more than £16M programme of food store openings and refits. Alongside a dozen new stores, there are major makeovers for around 20 further stores.

The Co-op opened its first new Welsh store in Rossett, near Wrexham, this week with new stores also planned for Swansea, Cwmbach, Rhayader, Monmouth, Radyr, Pembroke, Llanelli and Machen. Stores in St David’s Park, Old Colwyn, Holyhead, Talgarth and Barmouth have all re-launched with a new look this year after receiving major makeovers.

In addition, the Co-op also has plans to unveil two new funeral homes in Wales this year, with the first due to open in Cwmbran next month (May). Plans for a funeral home in Colwyn Bay are also underway. Its Funeralcare business is also investing in its current estate as part of a wider development programme.

The Co-op now has ambitions to boost the number of active members in Wales to 400,000 by the end of the year, a move which follows the retailer’s return to its iconic “clover leaf” design logo and the re-launch of its membership proposition – Members now receive a 5% reward on purchases of own-branded products and services, with a further 1% directly benefiting local good causes. In Wales, approaching 300 community groups and good causes are this week sharing almost £500,000 which has been raised in just six months.

Described as the fastest growing convenience retailer, the Co-op has out-performed its market over the last year with like-for-like sales up 3.5%, and locally sourcing products is a cornerstone of its food strategy. In December it awarded contracts to eleven smaller or, micro, breweries to supply around 80 of its Welsh stores including the Great Orme Brewery; Boss Brewing (Swansea): Tiny Rebel (Newport); Gower Brewery and, Glamorgan Brewing Company.

And from May, in a further boost for Welsh agriculture, the Co-op will sell only 100% British own-brand fresh beef, chicken, pork, lamb, bacon and turkey. It is already the only retailer to use British meat in all its chilled ready meals, pies and sandwiches.

Tina Mitchell, Managing Director for the Co-op, Wales, said:
“Continued investment in our brand and our business is delivering benefits for colleagues, members and communities right across Wales. And, consumers are responding to our commitment to doubling the number of local suppliers. Quality, trust and provenance are key for customers and we are working closely with smaller producers. It is their traditions, passion, and innovation which makes their products loved locally, and as a community retailer we are committed to championing great Welsh food and drink.

“The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum, and it is our aim to establish our stores as a local hub and a centre for the community. We want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op, and that members have an opportunity to make a difference locally. Simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they are raising much needed funding for organisations in their community who contribute to improving local life.”

MD of Edwards of Conwy, Simon James, added:
“Since launching with Co-op we have been able to reach a wide range of new customers. Often located in agricultural communities, many Co-op stores are essential in providing all the range you would find in a larger supermarket as well as being convenient. Accessing these customers who perhaps weren’t aware of the Edwards range has helped us grow our sales and allows us continue to invest in expanding the number of local staff we employ as well as our business capability. Co-ops passion for providing its customers with high quality locally produced foods at a fair price fits perfectly with our own long established heritage for being a highly skilled producer of quality meat products.”

Further information about the benefits of Co-op membership and, its Local Community Fund, are available by visiting: http://www.coop.co.uk/membership/

Further information:

Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Source: Coop

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Co-op stores in Wales support Follow Your Dreams’ appeal to collect eggs for children with learning disabilities

Wales, UK, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Co-op food stores in Wales have teamed-up with Follow Your Dreams to put a big smile on more than a thousand young faces this Easter.

More than one hundred Co-op food stores are supporting the Church Village-based charity in its annual appeal to collect more than a thousand eggs for children and young people across Wales who have learning disabilities.

The donations will support Easter activities across Wales, including an Easter egg hunt using Makaton sign language in Porth; Down To Me Easter party for families of children and young people with down syndrome in Bridgend; SNAC (Special Needs Activity Club) in Port Talbot; South and West Wales down syndrome group Easter egg hunt in Carmarthen; Special Riding Group Easter activities in Machynlleth and, Creat-a-smile Easter family sessions for children and young people who have Autism and other needs in Llangollen, Llanrwst, Anglesey, Llandudno, and Towyn.

Liz Whitaker of Follow Your Dreams, who is involved in this year’s Easter project with the Co-op, said:
“Creative and interactive events are a great way to inspire children and young people with learning disabilities and, as a charity we rely on the generosity of organisations and the community for much of our funding. This is a huge boost, we are delighted to have the support of the Co-op and, together we really can make a big difference and put an ‘egg-stremely’ big smile on thousands of young faces this Easter.”

Hywel Stevens, a store manager for the Co-op in Hirwaun who helped to set up the appeal, said:
“It is heart-warming that so many people take the time to think of others, and a small donation really will add to up to a huge difference in our local communities this Easter for hundreds of children in Wales with learning disabilities.”

Members of the public wishing to support the appeal can pop into their local participating Co-op food store to make a donation before Friday, 14 April.

For further information about the work of Follow Your Dreams and its Easter egg appeal with the Co-op visit http://www.followyourdreams.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/followyourdreamscharity

Media Contact:

Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
Mobile: 07702 505 551
Email: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Source: Coop

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The Craft Beer and Ale Event from 2 – 22 February at SPAR stores across England, Scotland and Wales

United Kingdom, 2017-Feb-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — 2017 is set to become an even better year for beer drinkers with SPAR stores in the UK running an instore Craft Beer and Ale Event in February to showcase a range of craft ales and beers from around the world.

“The craft beer & ale market has experienced huge growth and this is forecast to continue, as shoppers look for alternative specialist brands. As part of SPAR’s commitment to supporting regional and local suppliers, the event will provide shoppers with a glimpse of its increased presence in the craft beer and ale category,” said Laura McNally, SPAR UK Senior Marketing Manager.

To support this selling opportunity there will be substantial social media and digital activity to highlight some of the great deals on offer.

“We are thrilled to be running this event to showcase the extensive range of craft beers and ales we have on offer for our customers. This category will continue to dominate in 2017and the instore event will allow our retailers to maximise the extra sales opportunity and make their stores a destination point for beer buyers,” added McNally.

The Craft Beer and Ale Event will be running in SPAR stores across England, Scotland and Wales from 2 – 22 February.

Contact:

SPAR International
Email: info@spar-international.com
Tel: +3120 626 6749

Source: Spar International

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Co-operative Food stores across Wales to stock new range of longer-life reusable carrier bags to raise bags more cash for good causes

MANCHESTER, UK, 2015-2-6 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-operative Food pledges to reinvest the profits from its entire carrier bag range in Wales to good causes. A move that is in addition to the money raised by The Co-operative through the existing statutory 5p charge on single-use bags, which is supporting conservation programmes in Wales.

Co-operative Food stores across Wales are to stock a new range of longer-life reusable carrier bags, which as well as helping the environment will allow shoppers to raise bags more cash for good causes.

The community retailer, which has more than 150 food stores in Wales, has today (Wednesday, 4 February) pledged to reinvest the profits from its entire carrier bag range to good causes.

This is in addition to the money raised by The Co-operative through the existing statutory 5p charge on single-use bags, which is supporting conservation programmes in Wales*.

The Co-operative Food expects to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds in the next 12 months, with all of the additional money reinvested in community projects across Wales.

The move means that money made by The Co-operative Food on sales of its new woven reusable large shopping bag, a new woven reusable small shopping bag (which doubles as a bottle carrier) and new fold-away bags (all available for £1 each), as well as its redesigned 10p bag for life, will go to good causes.

Matthew Speight, The Co-operative Food’s Divisional Managing Director for Wales, said:

“We have a strong commitment to the environment, and to supporting local communities.

“While we share the aspiration of continuing to reduce the numbers of single-use plastic carrier bags that are in circulation, by buying any of our new range of carriers, customers will not only be contributing to the environment, but they’ll be helping good causes in Wales as well – together we can reduce, reuse, recycle, and also reinvest, in Wales.”

The Co-operative Food will confirm which good causes can bid for the additional funding generated by bag sales, and how they can apply, during 2015.

The new fold-away bags are made from 100% recycled materials are available in black or turquoise. The large and small woven bags, made from 80% recycled materials, are turquoise and decorated a with a “carrier bags are rubbish” design. The small woven bag can double as a bottle carrier. The bags can be recycled at Salvation Army textile recycling banks.

Further information on The Co-operative Food’s range of carrier bags, and how to recycle them, can be found at www.co-operativefood.co.uk/carrier-bags

Notes to editors:

The Co-operative Group, which is the UK’s largest co-operative business with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services, has a clear purpose of “championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities”. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-operative Group operates a total of 3,750 outlets, with more than 70,000 employees and an annual turnover of approximately £11 billion. In Wales, The Co-operative Group operates from around 200 stores and branches, and has 500,000 members.

*For example, The Welsh Wildlife Heroes programme: www.wtwales.org/welshwildlifeheroes

 

Further information:
Andrew Torr
The Co-operative Group Press Office
Tel: 07702 505551
Email: andrew.torr@co-operative.coop

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Co-operative Food stores across Wales to stock new range of longer-life reusable carrier bags to raise bags more cash for good causes

Co-operative Food stores across Wales to stock new range of longer-life reusable carrier bags to raise bags more cash for good causes