We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Borough market: John and Julie-Anne Bourne, of Malpas, Cheshire
The Borough Market is London’s oldest food market and blends history, tradition and innovation to provide a bustling community for London’s commuters and tourists and a shop window for British producers. Clemmie Gleeson reports.
CHRISTMAS is a time for relaxing after a hectic time making and selling cheese in preparation for the festive season, says John Bourne.
He and wife, Juliet-Anne, produce a range of five Cheshire cheeses plus other speciality cheeses and dairy products. They make around half-a-tonne of cheese per week.
The family has been creating cheese using traditional techniques since 1750. Milk for the cheese is produced by John and Juliet-Anne’s former Malbank herd of Friesians.
“We no longer have the responsibility of the day-to-day farming activities, which means we have more time to spend on the cheese business,” says John.
“We enjoy making cheese and selling it too. We are selling at more markets in Cheshire and the surrounding area and we have good help to run our stall at Borough Market and also Broadway Market in Hackney, London.”
The Bournes started selling at Borough Market in 2001 – when the livestock industry was in the grip of foot-and-mouth disease.
Markets closed
“It was a lifeline for the business. With all the regional farmers markets closed, Borough Market was effectively the only place to go and we were very fortunate.”
They quickly built-up a customer base and have found them to be extremely loyal even throughout the recent recession.
“Our customers appreciate the variety and quality of our cheeses. And I hope they think it represents value for money.”
He believes that market shoppers make more considered purchases now and ‘don’t buy food to waste.’
His best selling cheese is Mrs Bourne’s Mature, which he describes as a full-flavoured Cheshire.
Competition at the market – from UK and international cheesemakers – is ‘very stiff’ says John. “But I can’t think of any foreign cheeses which are anything like ours.”
On Christmas Day, John will be attending to his duties as organist at the local church. “I hope we will see some of the family, but generally we arrive at Christmas quite tired, so we just tend to relax.”
Home-made cheese will of course be featuring on the Bourne Christmas table, but John won’t be drawn on which particular type, as he doesn’t have a favourite.
His future plans consist of consolidating what they have developed already and extending sales to farm shops.
He is encouraged by the number of people who view shopping at markets as a pleasure – versus shopping at a supermarket – which is considered a chore.
“That is how we are able to grow our business.”
Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | 25 September 2011 1:12 pm
I recently purchased some cheese from your stall at Macclesfield Treacle Market on the 25th September. I cannot remember what sort it was but it had got garlic and parsley in it. Where can I buy some in the shops round here in Cheshire.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment