CASE STUDY: Bridge Cheese - Specialist support for funding and skills

19th October 2022

A combination of practical support and grants have made Telford the ideal environment for Bridge Cheese to expand as the firm satisfies growing appetite for its products.

Bridge Cheese takes its name and logo from the borough’s world-famous Iron Bridge and the company is very much in tune with the area’s industrial heritage and tradition for innovation.

Based at Stafford Park, it produces and sources a range of cheeses for food producers, restaurants and takeaways across the country and has seen turnover increase more than threefold since opening in 2018.

The firm was initially set up to supply the pizza home delivery franchise, Pizza Go Go, to enable it to secure a consistent supply of quality cheese. But it has since become a standalone company that’s branched out to build a diverse customer base creating tailored products.

One factor that has helped Bridge Cheese to both establish itself and meet growing demand is the assistance it’s had from Telford & Wrekin Council, says managing director Michael Harte.

The local authority’s business support team helped the company secure £150,000 to set up its facility and in 2021 enabled it to get a further £170,000 from the borough’s Business Growth Programme to help it invest in a new line. Bridge Cheese is also receiving financial support through the Made Smarter initiative that will enable it to implement a new enterprise resource planning system to drive greater efficiency.

Michael says the grant funding has been ‘fantastic’ but it’s been more than matched by the council’s day-to-day practical support – something that was evident from day one.

‘Initially the business was looking at the whole of the Midlands for somewhere to base. As part of the process, local councils in the region were contacted about what properties were available and what they could do for businesses there.

‘From the moment Telford & Wrekin Council were engaged it was clear that this was the area that was best suited to meet the requirements. The appetite and eagerness they showed was incredible – even though at that stage the aim was to bring 15 new jobs.

‘They wanted to make sure this was the right location and then followed it up with action, constantly staying touch. Telford really stood out for that compared with other councils.’

The workforce has since grown to 60 and will soon number 80 staff.

‘In the early days the business did not have a presence in the local business community so there was so much to find out,’ says Michael. ‘The council were frequently asked for support and guidance to connect with local companies and they gave everything needed for the business to make informed choices.

‘The council’s inward investment team weave this web of connections and then act as facilitator to help businesses work together. People talk about small businesses being the backbone of the economy and Telford demonstrate they really believe that.’