Cheesemaker on a roll with new finance

A LANCASHIRE cheese producer is stepping up production for Christmas after securing a six-figure working capital facility with NatWest.

Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, based in Inglewhite near Preston, plans to use the cash to help cover the short-term costs associated with a sales rise over the festive period.

It has been making cheeses at its dairy for more than 40 years. Run by the third generation of the Butler family, all cheeses are still based on original family recipes and made by hand in small batches with milk from the family farm.   

The £8m turnover firm produces a range of Christmas speciality cheeses and seasonal hampers which are sold by major supermarket chains including Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

Gillian Hall, Butlers’ managing director, said: “The run up to Christmas is exceptionally busy period as the demand for our core range of cheeses and seasonal products increases. It is a great opportunity to introduce Butlers’ cheeses to new consumers and one that we are keen to take advantage off. 

“We are expecting one of our biggest Christmas periods ever so it is important for us to have increased working capital in place for the considerable increase in stock we need to meet the demand. The NatWest facility is a good solution.”