We’re very excited to announce that our bespoke new food and drink facility, known as the Cumbria Maker Space is now open! Located in Appleby Creamery, the Maker Space exists to support new product development and business growth in the Dairy sector.
The Cumbria ‘Maker Space’ is kitted out to produce traditional dairy products, as well as specialist cheese such as halloumi. The facility is open for free to anyone interested in creating or experimenting with new dairy-based products, upscaling an existing business or simply learning how to make cheese and other dairy foods and drinks.
Commenting on the launch of the new dairy-product facility, Stuart Martin, Program Director, said: ‘This has been a fantastic project to launch with project partner Cows & Co and we’re very excited to announce the space is now open for all within the region of Cumbria and South and West Scotland to use. It will give large and small producers of dairy-based food and drink the chance to innovate in a supportive environment or move from small-scale ‘kitchen creations’ into commercially viable production.’
‘In addition to the free access to the bespoke NPD facilities, participants of the Maker Space will also receive mentorship from industry experts, troubleshooting support, collaboration opportunities and hands-on training in both traditional and modern processes.’
One of the Cumbria Maker Space’s first participants is Martin Gott, owner of the artisan cheese company St James Cheeses. Martin and his team currently produce a halloumi style cheese for restaurants around the country. Their trial in the Maker Space will allow them to use their existing milk supply to produce their cheese in higher volumes with the technical support and expertise to ensure they are able to maintain the quality their customers have come to expect.
Martin said, ‘The Maker Space facility has provided us with a free space to test alternative ways to produce our product, this isn’t always possible during our day to day operations. This allows us to learn the benefits and limitations of new methods or equipment, without losing valuable production time in our own dairy. This is an invaluable form of business support that will allow us to better evaluate ways to increase or improve our production efficiency and possibly reach new markets.’
If you are interest in find out more about the Maker Spaces please email [email protected] or call 07799291066
