New growth opportunities for Herefordshire cider maker’s farm shop and café
Published: 10th June 2022
Newton Court Cider is looking to refurbish its on-site farm shop and 95-seater café. The new facilities will sell the farm’s own-produced cider, together with organic produce including seasonal vegetables, honey, milk and bread.
Newton Court Farm, farms a mixed rotation of cattle, arable and sheep on its 155-acre estate. The farm also sits in 30 acres of cider apple and perry pear orchards, in addition to having several residential properties available for let.
A vision set in creating an experience
The ambitious project will include the build of a 600-metre square state-of-the-art visitor centre. This new venue will invite guests to take a journey through the art of cider making, learning how the farm grows and ferments its fruit to produce a wide range of award-winning sparkling bottled cider and traditional draught ciders. This includes the farm’s famous organic Elderflower cider and Bold Oak cider which are produced in collaboration with Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage.
Additionally, around seven new jobs are expected to be created as part of the expansion, including a manager, chef, head cider maker and café staff, taking the farm’s total number of employees to ten full and part-time staff.
Paul Stephens, Director and Partner at Newton Court Cider, said: “The investment in our new shop, café and visitor centre represents an important milestone in the ongoing development of our farming business and is an important part of our journey to become a popular visitor attraction in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside.”
Securing the funds to grow
The funding from AMC was completed with support from local AMC agents, Ashley Lilley and Arthur Witchell, from Savills.
Paul’s view on securing the funding: “Our original farm shop was at capacity, so we’d have really struggled to grow without AMC’s investment and support. Our incredible new facilities will be open to the public before the end of the year and we hope people will join us to see where the farm’s apples are nurtured and harvested, before being transferred to the production facility where the apples are turned into cider.”
Victoria Crisp, the local Regional Agriculture Manager for the South West Midlands said: “With its unique climate and soil, Herefordshire has a long and rich farming history. This expansion will enable Newton Court Cider to diversify its offering to include a visitor education centre, whilst also significantly improving its existing infrastructure.”
Newton Court Cider, which also received funding for the project through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development Project, expects its annual turnover to more than double following the investment.