Sasda Supports Utter Butterly Success For County Durham Business Venture
A North East butter entrepreneur is on target to make her home-made products a household favourite after securing two new national retail deals.
Shildon-based Butter-fingers – which produces creamy, savoury and sweet flavoured butters – has added two renowned nationwide stockists to its client base after signing deals with department store giant John Lewis and gourmet foods company Lewis & Cooper in London.
Kairen Dodds, who started out with a passion for making butters at home, set up the business a year ago after receiving advice from SASDA, the local enterprise agency for the Sedgefield Borough.
The products are now sold in more than 80 delicatessens, food halls and restaurants, including the Queen’s retailer Fortnum & Mason and Harvey Nichols and she has created a new job by taking on a member of staff.
“I’m delighted with how the business has grown month-on-month, since it was established in late 2008. We’ve never looked back and it’s a great achievement to see the products in such high profile stores and restaurants,” said Ms Dodds, of Heighington.
“I contacted SASDA before the business was established to find out if they thought it was a realistic venture and they couldn’t have been more supportive,” she said. “They recommended a proactive approach, taking the butter to local shops to gauge feedback and within two months it was being sold in Lewis & Cooper, which is fantastic.”
Support from SASDA’s Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) – which aims to support businesses in the region and create employment opportunities for residents - has also ensured Ms Dodds can continue to grow the business further.
The appointment of Joanne Mulley, 26, of Shildon, as production operator, has created more business development time for Ms Dodds who can continue to promote the range to potential retailers without slowing down production.
Philip Beasley Chief Executive of SASDA, said: ““Butter-fingers is a fantastic local business that is really going places. Through the WNF we have been able to help her employ a member of staff so she can continue to grow the business at the rate she has been and enjoy the success she so rightly deserves.
“The list of impressive national stockists is testament to the products and the company’s determination to be market leaders.”
The butter range - which includes sun-dried tomato and basil flavour, garlic and parsley, salmon and chive, and hot chilli and zest lime - has been receiving attention from chef’s and will be reviewed in February by Delia online.
Ms Dodds, who was born in Singapore, has also received interest for the products from her home country and is looking into exporting in the coming year.
For more information about Butter-fingers please contact 01388 776186 or to find out how your business can receive support and funding from SASDA contact 01325 310730.
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