Central England Co-op is celebrating the best of local produce with the launch of a new range in one its supermarkets located in the heart of the Peak District.
The Society has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting quality locally-sourced produce with its new ‘Carefully Crafted’ range at its Bakewell Supermarket, while also showcasing the wide array of artisan and homemade products produced by independent manufacturers.
Carefully Crafted features enhanced ranges of local products previously available in the Market Street store, as well as brand new ranges from newly sourced suppliers, many of which are based within a short distance of the Bakewell Supermarket.
Jennifer Hargrave, Local Buyer at Central England Co-op, said, “We are really proud of continuing our long tradition of working with local suppliers to give shoppers in Bakewell a varied and distinctive range of quality locally-sourced products.
“From locally-produced gins and ales, to delicious homemade cakes and chocolate and so much more in between, the Carefully Crafted range makes a fantastic addition to our Bakewell Supermarket and highlights Central England Co-op’s point of difference as a community-focused retailer by supporting local manufacturing.”
Among the local food businesses benefiting from the launch is The Bakewell Bakery, based less than a mile from the Bakewell Supermarket, which was founded in 2011 out of owners Nick and Jemma Beagrie’s belief in preserving traditional artisan methods.
The award-winning firm is most famous for its Bakewell Puddings (pictured) and Tarts, which will be among the products now available as part of the Carefully Crafted range.
Jemma Beagrie, owner of The Bakewell Bakery, said, 'As a local, independent producer it's fantastic to see Central England Co-op supporting The Bakewell Bakery by stocking an extended range of our products.
'Our skilled bakers create every item in our wide range by hand without the use of plant machinery to ensure quality and consistency, which is what we set out to accomplish when our family founded the bakery back in 2011.
'It's important to us to carry on these traditions and the proof of our hard work has been recognised with awards including a Great Taste award for our Bakewell Pudding.'
Popular ice cream maker Bradwells Ice Cream, which has been producing ice cream in the Peak District for over 100 years, is also part of the Carefully Crafted range with a huge array of delicious flavours available to shoppers looking to cool off this summer.
Managing Director Jane Bownes said, “It is very important for us that large retailers like Central England Co-op back local businesses such as Bradwells in this way. We are only a small manufacturer and it is a great platform to be in a store like Bakewell Supermarket.
“We have been making ice cream for over a century now and the name is well-known in this area. We are proud of our heritage and the quality of what we produce. We get feedback from loyal locals and visitors alike – once they have tried our ice cream they will often get in touch and ask where they can get more from.”
Also included in the Carefully Crafted range will be ales and lagers produced by Bakewell-based Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell Gins, as well as Derbyshire producers, Curry on Curry Kits and Raw Halo Chocolate.
