Shropshire cheesemaker see sales soar after Radio 2 feature
Sales have soared at a cheesemakers in Shropshire – after their produce was featured on a Radio 2 show.
Staff at Appleby's in Whitchurch were curious when they were called by the station and asked to send a chunk of the cheese to presenter Simon Mayo.
A few days later they saw interest in their cheese rise sharply, all thanks to a cheese and onion pie. The radio show has a weekly cooking spot with chef Nigel Barden and Appleby's Cheshire was central to the recipe.
Sarah Appleby, of Appleby's, said: "We were extremely proud and excited to have our cheese plugged nationally. We listen to Radio 2 whilst in the dairy making cheese, so to actually be featured is a fantastic achievement and great publicity for our small family run business.
"The drive time show has approximately 6 million viewers.
"Simon Mayo described Appleby's Cheshire as 'spectacular' before tucking in to the cheese and onion pie."
Lance and Lucy Appleby started the cheese making enterprise in 1952 and were both awarded MBEs for their services to cheesemaking in Shropshire, in 2001.
Lance Appleby was born in Cheshire and grew up on a farm. He left school at the age of 13 and drove the horses, laden with cheese, to Whitchurch cheese fair.
The business has continued to be run by Edward and Christine Appleby, and now the third generation of Appleby's, Paul and his wife Sarah are involved– as well as their four young children.
The calico bound cheese are stored in on-farm maturing rooms until they are carefully selected for distribution.
As well as Cheshire cheese, Appleby's produce Double Gloucester and Appleby's smoked cheese.
Appleby's Cheese can be sourced locally and nationwide or direct from Hawkstone Abbey Farm on Friday mornings.
