Supermarket raises glass to Shropshire ale and cider producers

The Midcounties Co-operative Food has agreed to stock a range of more than 45 drinks from 20 small producers in the region in a drive to support locally sourced food and drink.

Among those toasting the deal are Hobsons Brewery in Cleobury Mortimer, Salopian Brewery in Hadnall, near Shrewsbury, and Ludlow Brewing Company.

Midcounties Co-operative operates 14 stores in Shropshire, but also has stores in Avon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.

The new products are part of Midcounties’ ‘Best of Our Counties’ range, which offers food and drink products from regional producers.

Reuben Crouch, commercial director at Hobsons Brewery, said: “We’ve been working closely with The Midcounties Co-operative’s local food team who have been very supportive in helping us to introduce our products to more people in Shropshire.

“We’ve established a good relationship over the years and are now supplying to even more of their stores in the area.

"This has allowed us to further develop our range of products and continue to grow as a business.”

Matt Fletcher, direct sourcing manager at The Midcounties Co-operative Food, said: “We’re committed to supporting local suppliers who make fantastic food and drink products that we know people in the community will love.

"By investing in our ‘Best of Our Counties’ range we can showcase all the great products made locally in Shropshire.”

The new range of local suppliers includes Bewdley Brewery, Celtic Marches Beverages, Clive’s Fruit Farm, Freedom Brewery, H Westons & Sons, Henney’s Cider, Hobsons Brewery, Ledbury Cider & Juice, Ludlow Brewing Company, Mr Trotters, Oldfields Cider, Once Upon a Tree, Salopian Brewery, Staffordshire Brewery, Teme Valley Brewery, Titanic Brewery, Unity Brew House, Willy’s Cider (Chase Distillery), Wood Brewery and Wye Valley Brewery.