Central England Co-op in Bakewell throws support behind local producers with launch of new ‘Carefully Crafted’ range
Posted by james brindle | Published: 18/07/2019
Central England Co-op is celebrating the best of Derbyshire produce with the launch of a new range in its supermarket located in the heart of Bakewell.
The Society has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting quality locally-sourced produce with its new ‘Carefully Crafted’ range at the Market Street store, while also showcasing the wide array of artisan and homemade products produced by independent manufacturers.
Carefully Crafted features enhanced ranges of local products previously available in the Bakewell store, as well as brand new ranges from newly sourced suppliers, many of which are based within a short distance of the Bakewell Supermarket.
Jennifer Hargrave, Local Buyer at Central England Co-op, said: “We are really proud of continuing our long tradition of working with local suppliers to give shoppers in Bakewell a varied and distinctive range of quality locally-sourced products.
“From locally-produced gins and ales, to delicious homemade cakes and chocolate and so much more in between, the Carefully Crafted range makes a fantastic addition to our Bakewell Supermarket and highlights Central England Co-op’s point of difference as a community-focused retailer by supporting local manufacturing.”
Among the local food businesses benefitting from the launch is The Bakewell Bakery, based less than a mile from the Bakewell Supermarket, which was founded in 2011 out of owners Nick and Jemma Beagrie’s belief in preserving traditional artisan methods.
The award-winning firm is most famous for its Bakewell Puddings and Tarts, which will be among the products now available as part of the Carefully Crafted range.
Jemma Beagrie, owner of The Bakewell Bakery, said: "As a local, independent producer it's fantastic to see Central England Co-op supporting The Bakewell Bakery by stocking an extended range of our products.
"Our skilled bakers create every item in our wide range by hand without the use of plant machinery to ensure quality and consistency, which is what we set out to accomplish when our family founded the bakery back in 2011.
"It's important to us to carry on these traditions and the proof of our hard work has been recognised with awards including a Great Taste award for our Bakewell Pudding."
Popular ice cream maker Bradwells Ice Cream, which has been producing ice cream in the Peak District for over 100 years, is also part of the Carefully Crafted range with a huge array of delicious flavours available to shoppers looking to cool off this summer.
Managing Director Jane Bownes said: “It is very important for us that large retailers like Central England Co-op back local businesses such as Bradwells in this way. We are only a small manufacturer and it is a great platform to be in a store like Bakewell Supermarket.
“We have been making ice cream for over a century now and the name is well-known in this area. We are proud of our heritage and the quality of what we produce. We get feedback from loyal locals and visitors alike – once they have tried our ice cream they will often get in touch and ask where they can get more from.”
Also included in the Carefully Crafted range will be ales and lagers produced by Bakewell-based Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell Gins, as well as Derbyshire producers, Curry on Curry Kits and Raw Halo Chocolate.
Notes to editors
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK.
It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.
Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2019.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390