Digital Dairy Chain

Product
Development

The Digital Dairy Chain has created a bespoke ‘Maker Space’ in Cumbria and plans are underway to open a second in Ayrshire.  

Supporting New Product Development

The two Maker Spaces in Cumbria and Ayrshire will give producers of dairy and dairy-based food and drink products the facilities to develop new products or move from small-scale ‘kitchen creations’ into commercially viable production.

New Maker Space Facilities

The first of the two new facilities is located at the Appleby Creamery in Westmorland, Cumbria and is now open. Plans are underway for a slightly smaller facility in Ayrshire.

What will they do?

large or small. They are a place to develop new dairy products or move into commercial scale production. They can be used for the development of any dairy-based food and drink products, subject to suitable equipment being available. In some cases, it may be possible to hire the equipment to facilitate trials.

Products should ideally focus on novelty, health benefits or an opportunity for import substitution – for example, fermented products such as kefir, dairy desserts and traditionally imported cheeses such as halloumi and feta at the Appleby site. The Ayrshire site will focus more on small scale production for farmers wishing to diversify into dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt or ice cream.

There will also be general advisory support available through the maker space programme for farm-based businesses that want to diversify into producer-processor activity.

Who can use the Maker Spaces?

You can use them if you are located or operate in Cumbria or south and west Scotland – they are free to use.

The Maker Spaces are available to all local dairy or dairy-based food or drink producers, from small scale-up businesses to larger organisations looking to undertake new product development outside their own premises.

The Maker Space facilities are available for the creation of new dairy products or new dairy-based food and drink only.

The maker space can be available for varying lengths of time, depending on your needs and equipment availability. You can discuss this with the Maker Space Co-ordinator.

Find out if your location is within the project’s geographical region
Check Eligibility

Interested in using a Maker Space?

If you are interested to find out more about the facilities and equipment, or wish to visit the Appleby Creamery Maker Space to see how we could help your business to grow, please contact the Maker Space Coordinator.

 

Contact Us

GET IN TOUCH

If you are interested to find out more about the facilities and equipment, or wish to visit the Appleby Creamery Maker Space to see how we could help your business to grow, please contact the Maker Space Coordinator.

 

Mark Robertson

Mark is the Maker Space Coordinator for the Digital Dairy Chain. View his profile here and you can contact him via email.

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