The Blaenafon Cheddar Company Ltd (Charlotte Hill)
Nominated for Business award
The Blaenafon Cheddar Company produces distinctive cheddars with heritage. The family business was established in 2006 and has grown significantly in that time.
They produce very distinctive cheddars and many are flavoured with local alcohols, such as Black Mountain Liqueur, Brains SA and Taffy Apple cider. Their famous Pwll Mawr cheddar is aged 300ft below ground at the bottom of the mine shaft at the Big Pit Mining Museum.
In 2018, the company was successful in securing a contract with Morrisons supermarket to supply 10 product lines into 7 Welsh stores. The Morrisons contract allowed the company to extend into an empty shop next door and remain a focal point in Blaenafon town centre.
The Covid-19 outbreak has been a difficult time for many businesses and although concerned at the start the company has managed to diversify and flourish during this worrying time. With the business unable to operate as usual, the company took the opportunity to refresh their website and increased their presence on social media. They also worked with other local producers to offer hampers, platters and tasting boxes including local beers, chutney, jams and crackers to accompany their cheeses. They have managed to increase their sales by 200%.