Business is booming for the cider industry in Somerset as the apple based beverage continues to win legions of fans in the drinks industry. To learn more about the expanding sector and get a hands on overview of the production process, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Liz Truss and Taunton Deane Prospective Conservative MP Rebecca Pow were given a fascinating tour of Sheppy’s Cider Ltd at Bradford-on-Tone near Wellington in Somerset.

On the back of a renewed determination to get British apples back at the top of the food tree, the Secretary of State for the Environment and Rebecca saw how increasing demand had led to a surge in production and investment in new facilities in the heart of Taunton Deane. In 2012-13 Sheppy’s was able to install a new presshouse and bottling and kegging halls at Three Bridges Farm. All in all the new buildings and machinery amounted to a total investment of £1½ million, which went to local suppliers and injected finance into the local economy. On top of new equipment, the company’s production expanded this year with the planting of a new orchard, taking the total orchard area to 70 acres. Sheppy’s now presses a staggering 1,800 tonnes of cider apples per year. And the company is even planning further expansion to include a new orchard and further cider storage.

Rebecca, who has a strong and proven commitment to rural enterprises, said “I was delighted that Liz Truss accepted my invitation to visit Sheppy’s Cider Ltd, a shining example of a long standing, traditional business in Taunton Deane which is building on its roots, planting new orchards, investing and expanding to the point that they are now sending cider as far afield as China and Thailand. The future for cider apples here certainly looks rosy! I have campaigned for local, English produce for much for my life, particularly when I ran the Taste of Somerset organisation and I am pleased to see businesses like this growing and playing an important part in the local economy. I urge consumers to get behind companies like Sheppy’s and buy local British produce”.

Speaking on her visit to Sheppy's, Liz Truss said "I was absolutely delighted to have been invited by Rebecca to visit Sheppy's and to see for myself a first-class business, producing a world-class product. British apples are some of the best and tastiest in the world and I'm determined to see the great British apple back at the top of the tree. Innovative companies like Sheppy's have a key role to play in helping achieve this."