Pandemic has huge impact on Nick's cheese business

A Whittington businessman has spoken about the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on his business.

Nick Hodgetts, who runs the cheese-making company Croome Cuisine, said there would probably be some “horrible decisions” to be made concerning his workforce as a result of the virus and subsequent lockdown.

He also saw a series of events where he would have sold his products direct to the public throughout this year cancelled.

Mr Hodgetts said: “Half of our business is based on selling direct to the public, food stalls, for example, festivals, Christmas fairs, that sort of thing.

“We had 200 events booked for this year. They start in April, normally at Easter, and run right through to Christmas Eve.”

The only one he had been able to hold this year was one on behalf of Worcestershire Food and Drink.

Social distancing impacted on his trading as it was so dependent on selling face to face to the public, who, in normal times, could gather round his stalls at bustling events.

He explained that only one family group at a time could now stand in front of his stalls.

There had been more positive news, with Mr Hodgetts saying: “The other half of our business has flourished,” with trade going well at farm shops, delicatessens and garden centres.

“Now they’re open they’re finding a lot of loyal followers who are trying to avoid the big supermarkets and are attempting to shop local,” he explained, “It’s really odd.”

Overall, however, Mr Hodgetts said: “I think the biggest issue we have is retaining our workforce.”

Six of his 13-strong workforce had been furloughed. “If the other half of our business doesn’t return I’m not sure they will be able to,” he said, adding: “When the furlough arrangements come to the end there’s some horrible decisions to be made.”

He said that exports and new markets had been “put on hold” for two years in the absence of a Brexit trade deal, with several countries waiting to see what the final trade deal would be.

Plans for Croome Cuisine to attend foreign festivals and Christmas events had also been cancelled.

“That has impacted probably as much as coronavirus on our future plans,” said Mr Hodgetts.

Nick Hodgetts, who runs the cheese-making company Croome Cuisine