29.09.06
J&M Bolton Free Range Eggs and Poultry aims high

Business is thriving for a St Austell couple who have successfully diversified with help from Business Link, and are now selling to the Fifteen Restaurant in Newquay.

John and Mollie Bolton have been running their business for three years but 18 months ago went from selling 10 table birds a week to now selling over 100. The business has successfully diversified their free range egg business to incorporate selling high quality poultry. A variety of help and support has been provided by Business Link Devon and Cornwall and Objective One. The business is now being helped to manage its expansion by a mentor who has been focusing on marketing and overseeing their business transactions and performance.

John said, "People buy from us because they get quality fresh chickens that spend their entire lives in Cornwall. We feed them GM free food and don't use antibiotics or growth promoters. The chicken is not added to with anything like water or pork fat; our customers receive the meat in a completely natural state."

John continued, "We have put a lot of our money into this business and Business Link have supported us throughout. We have an excellent mentor who has given us sound advice every step of the way and they have been great in helping us regulate our transactions."

Graham Woolcock from Business Link says, "It's important that we support local micro businesses like this and help them to maintain their profitability. It's important not only for them, but also for local shops and butchers so that they have more sources to buy fresh locally produced food. There are strong economic and environmental arguments for buying locally – but it tastes so much better as well!"

The couple will be showcasing their products including their tasty chicken, at the Boscastle Food Fayre on 7th and 8th of October. John says, "As we will be the only stand cooking, it will be a great chance for people to taste some of the products which will be expanding our product range in future months. We want to develop all areas of our business but a key part of this development will be producing quality gourmet chicken burgers, chicken pies, sausages and smoked chicken breast."

For further information please contact Carolyn Daw on 01566 771863 or email: cdaw@marketing-pr.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Business Link through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has also invested in Fifteen Cornwall through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and via the Jobcentre Plus co-financing with European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

Business Link provides a free information and enquiry service via an information gateway on the web www.bldc.co.uk and via the telephone on 0845 600 9966 to all businesses and those considering starting a business. Additionally it provides impartial business advice and support through a network of partner organisations, which it co-ordinates, and a register of independent business practitioners. Business Link for Devon and Cornwall delivers the national Business Link service to the region under contract from the South West RDA.

Business Link has received Objective One investment (European Regional Development Fund and EAGGF) to help companies improve performance and grow.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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