FOOD & DRINK

RODDA’S GOES B CORP

Rodda’s has become the latest Cornish company to secure B Corp status.

The Scorrier-based clotted cream producer joins the likes of Leap, Finisterre and Origin Coffee to be certified by B Lab, the not-forprofit behind the B Corp movement.

The rigorous year-long certification process covers the entirety of a business’ operations, ensuring the highest social and environmental standards are met.

Rodda’s is a strong supporter of local farming families, selecting farms within a 30-mile radius of the creamery to supply milk. Each is required to pass their bespoke farm assurance, covering animal welfare to the highest level. In return they are offered support and advice, and a fair price for their milk.

NEW CORNISH GIN

Mainbrace has extended its spirits range in the form of a craft gin.

Mainbrace Cornish Dry Gin was launched on February 6 to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It is made with Cornish water and local botanicals, namely lemon verbena harvested from St Michaels Mount, and three different types of seaweed – Kelp, Dulse, and Sea Spaghetti – sourced from the Cornish Seaweed Company in Gweek.

Co-founder Richard Haigh said: “We have lots of exciting plans in the works and are especially looking forward to ‘splicing the mainbrace’ to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.” Hub Box, the Cornwall-based burger and barbecue business, has reported a record set of results.

MD Nicholas Rodda said: “We are always challenging ourselves to do better, and this accreditation, which rubberstamps the work we’ve always done, marks a defining moment in the company’s development.”

Meanwhile, Rodda’s has secured a major new distribution deal with Tesco for its clotted cream, across its national retail estate totaling more than 800 stores.

“This national listing within Tesco is a watershed moment for the brand,” said Rodda.

“We have big ambitions to increase awareness of Rodda’s on a national level, so the opportunity to be listed nationally in new geographic areas will help us to showcase the brand to new audiences, who haven’t previously been able to purchase our clotted cream.”

TOP FOODIE PUBS

Two St Austell Brewery-owned pubs have been named among the top foodie pubs in Britain.

The St Kew Inn in Bodmin and the Cornish Arms up in Tavistock, Devon, both feature in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list.

While it’s the ninth year that the Cornish Arms has featured, moving up two places this year to #14, it’s the first time that the St Kew Inn has made the top 50, ranking at 36.

Jim Sloan, head of St Austell Brewery’s tenanted estate, said: “Featuring on this list is a big achievement on a national scale, and we’re extremely proud to be working in partnership with such fantastic teams.”

BOOM BOX

Total sales for the 11-strong restaurant group for the financial year ending December 31, saw a 75% increase on the previous 12 months to £12.6 million. Earnings (before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose to £1.47 million, up from £539k.

Like-for-like sales for the 33 weeks following the easing of restrictions on the May 17 were +25.1% against 2019.

Hub Box, which counts Loungers’ co-founders Alex Reilley, who chairs the business, and Jake Bishop amongst its backers, opened two new sites in the financial year in Falmouth in June and Cheltenham in September.

Richard Boon, CEO and founder, said: “We are very pleased with how well the business has performed, particularly given that we were unable to trade our sites fully for over a third of the year.

“We used the various lockdowns well to focus on improving our proposition, being ready to make the most of when we were able to trade, and building an infrastructure fit for ambitious growth.”

And the business plans to expand beyond its traditional south west. “We believe that between coastal locations and major towns/ cities in the UK there is scope for 100+ sites and we are busy negotiating on a number of opportunities as we gradually look to ramp up the Hub Box roll-out.”