Beckleberry’s Returns To Its Roots, Re-affirming Ties With Proud, North East Heartland
Pre-lockdown, Beckleberry’s was flying high (quiet literally) as one of the nation’s pre-eminent gourmet pud & patisserie providers, to the world’s leading airlines (Business Class/1st Class) and more recently LNER (London North Eastern Railways). Whether we’re talking ice creams & sorbets, decadent desserts (tarts, tortes, slices, cheesecakes….), cream teas or even light-to-bite quiches, this was an award-winning family business on the up.
And yet, the moment Lockdown came into being and the world’s air fleets were grounded, it became all too apparent that Beckleberry’s needed to swiftly reinvent itself if it was to survive the short-term downturn in its fortunes.
It was about this time that co-founders, Peter, David & Ian recognised that their multi-award winning business was lumbered with a small fleet of refrigerated vans lying idle in their car park, hard-working vehicles that provided the perfect opportunity to reconnect with local, ‘indulgent pud’ loyalists who could only really purchase Beckleberry’s goodies from the business’s flagship scoop shop (Gateshead Centre).
Wheels were quickly put in motion as bundles of Beckleberry’s goodies were swiftly gathered together into appetizing family offers, (the perfect afternoon treat box, savoury selection, the Box Set bundle….) for those locals who were still reluctant to revisit the shops. Yes the geography was only 10 miles outside Blaydon, (the factory) however the local community following that is expanding week after week has been breath-taking, preserving vital manufacturing jobs whilst reacquainting themselves with a local favourite.
According to co-director, David Craig, ‘Fostering improved local ties has been a top Beckleberry’s objective for some while now, however with the growth of our airline business, the steady churn of nationwide hotel, restaurant and export orders, it was a priority that had slid down our ever expanding to-do list. Today our local following has grown so significantly that we’ve even decided to extensively revamp our much revered flagship scoop shop (opens mid-August) to provide some much needed dessert elation & exuberance in these increasingly uncertain times.’
If you live within 10 miles from Blaydon – PLEASE don’t be shy & drop them an order today