Acquisition adds much-loved brands to cheese maker’s menu

A Lancashire cheese-maker has expanded with the acquisition of a Hampshire business, for an undisclosed sum.

Fourth-generation Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, based near Preston, has added Hampshire Cheese Company, the home of much-loved soft cheeses Tunworth and Winslade, to the fold.

Butlers, which has recovered from a damaging blaze at its office and packaging site last November, has invested significantly in its soft cheese capacity in the past two years, with own-label and branded soft cheeses like Button Mill and Kidderton Ash driving its mission to be a powerhouse in British farmhouse soft cheese. Butlers says it is now the largest independent soft cheesemaker in the UK.

Hampshire Cheese Company, a multi award-winning artisan cheesemaker, was founded in 2005 by Stacey Hedges and has amassed a legion of fans for Tunworth and Winslade; two expertly handcrafted, continental-style soft cheeses that are revered among some of the UK’s leading chefs, Michelin restaurants and premium independent retailers.

Matthew Hall, fourth-generation owner at Butlers sayid: “Bringing two incredible cheeses like Tunworth and Winslade into our family is super exciting and consistent with our soft cheese strategy.

“The quality and reputation that Stacey and her team have established for Tunworth and Winslade is something we will be proud to nurture with their loyal customers.”

He added: “Over the years, Stacey has shared our mission to drive the British cheese renaissance in the UK and we are privileged to bring Tunworth and Winslade into our family, continue on that journey and get more of the amazing cheeses being made in Britain, to more people.”

Butlers’ ownership of Hampshire Cheese Company is effective immediately.