Background

Winter Tarn Dairy is a Cumbrian-based dairy producer specialising in artisan butter made from local cream. Their cows graze on the lush, grass-fed pastures of Cumbria, and the business supplies high-quality butter to local restaurants, cafés, and hotels. Known for its commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability, Winter Tarn Dairy has built a strong reputation in the region’s hospitality sector.

The Challenge

As demand for their artisan butter continued to grow, Winter Tarn Dairy faced limitations in their production capacity. The existing machinery couldn't keep pace with orders, particularly for individually portioned butter — a format increasingly requested by customers in the hospitality industry. To keep up with growth and explore new market opportunities, the business needed to acquire larger, more advanced equipment. However, the financial outlay for such specialised machinery posed a challenge.

The Solution

To support their expansion, Winter Tarn Dairy applied for grant funding through Cumbria Business Growth Hub and received £46,143.31 funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund, provided by Westmorland & Furness Council to purchase a Benhil 8304 butter portion machine, custom-designed to produce round butter portions — a unique offering that stands out from the standard rectangular portions. This investment enabled the business to diversify their product range, meet customer demand for innovation, and significantly scale up production.

The grant application process was described as relatively clear and straightforward, with excellent support from Paula at Cumbria Business Growth Hub, who played a key role in guiding the application to success.

The Impact

The impact of the grant and the new machinery has been transformative. Winter Tarn Dairy has already doubled its weekly butter portion sales, bringing three new Cumbrian-based wholesalers on board. Productivity across the business has grown by 40%, while butter wastage per kilogram has been reduced thanks to more efficient production. The investment has also supported environmental goals, allowing the business to invest in additional machinery that reduces plastic use and energy consumption. On the staffing side, employee wages have increased, and the business is preparing to create two new jobs in 2025, further boosting the local economy.