Cheesemonger gets set for international expansion

ITS cheese was used in half a million meals in the London Olympics and today’s clients include Harvey Nichols and the D&D Restaurant Group which owns Crafthouse in Leeds.

Now, as it focuses on organic growth, Yorkshire-based Cryer & Stott Cheesemongers has set a target of exporting 20% of business in the next two years.

The firm, founded in Wakefield 16 years ago, supplies cheeses from a range of manufacturers, including Wensleydale, Ribblesdale and Shepherd’s Purse as well as creating its own cheeses, including Ruby Gold cheese, the world’s only cheese made from the famous ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ rhubarb.

The business also supplies fine foods and bespoke products to hotels, horse race meetings and directors’ boxes within football stadiums.

Cryer & Stott is working with a distributor in France and has completed its first orders. It is now working on increasing its work in other international markets.

Director Richard Holmes said: “There’s a growing number of people interested in British foods. We’re working closely with UKTI and looking at tapping into other markets in Europe including Spain within the next couple of years.

“There’s huge opportunity in exporting for us. People don’t realise what fantastic food products are on offer in Yorkshire so we have been educating people.

“The main core of the business is cheese but we’re also looking at taking other products into France like our pork pies.” The business currently sells 2,000 of its pork pies each week.

As well as a focus on exports, Holmes said the retail side of the business is also doing well.

Situated in an old pub in the village of Allerton Bywater, the firm has opened a food hall called Samuel Valentine. It also has three cheese shops.

“Last year was a good year for us and next year we will see further growth,” Holmes said.

The company has a turnover of £1.2m and predicts this to grow to £1.4m next year.

“We want to grow organically by keeping our overheads as they are. We see our turnover doubling over the next five to ten years but the real growth for our business will be selling our knowledge as well as exports,” Holmes added.

Holmes said Cryer & Stott is heavily focused on its consultancy work. It works with a number of different businesses to help them grow their own businesses by offering advice and guidance.

“A lot of our work is about educating people and working with other food producers.” Holmes said.

“We’re marketing ourselves as a gourmet food business and promoting fine food in Yorkshire. It is about looking at opportunities and driving the business forward. There are lots of growth opportunities around, it’s just about doing what’s right.”