Family deli business takes a bite of new premises

SPECIALIST foods business Deli Belge is expanding with the acquisition of a second site.

The Sowerby Bridge family-run business, which was launched in 2011, is opening a second retail outlet after securing funding from Barclays.

The company is a purveyor of specialty foods including Belgian beers and chocolate, cheeses, charcuterie and wines, as well as cakes, quiches, and pâtés which are all sourced locally.

Deli Belge’s second outlet, the Craggies, at The Crags Country Business Park, Mytholmroyd and this larger outlet will offer a wider range of products including a butchers and a cafe.

The company now employs over eleven people locally and turnover is expected to double this year with the new outlet.

Andrea Mellor, owner of Deli Belge Limited, said: “We’ve seen steady growth since we launched the business and the time felt right to further invest in the business and acquire a second outlet.

“We operate as a family business and my son Thomas runs the butcher and daughter Sarah makes the fresh produce which we sell in both shops. The new Craggies store is on a popular ramblers walking route and the new funding from Barclays has enabled us to not only acquire the second outlet but to fully refit the premises with all the kit we need to operate.”

Daniel Ponting, business banking manager at Barclays put together the funding package for the deal and said: “Andrea and her family operate an impressive business and it’s great to see them investing for the future and growing at pace.

“The new shop will increase the stock the business can offer and enable the business to diversify into butchery as well as creating a new site for the cafe.”