Independent businesses in Staffordshire are showcasing how their products are proudly made in the county with a new trusted accreditation mark.
After its preview at the House of Commons recently, the Made in Staffordshire mark was officially launched at last month's County Show – where a range of diverse makers displayed their produce whilst explaining the benefits of the initiative to visitors.
Created by We Are Staffordshire – the county’s place marketing organisation – the scheme will raise the profile of Staffordshire as a hub for manufacturing, creativity and innovation. Businesses that join will benefit from marketing support, promotional opportunities and the use of a trusted quality mark that recognises products genuinely made in the county. They will also have opportunities to be featured in a planned online directory and to take part in future campaigns and events.
The scheme is open to a wide range of businesses, including makers, creators, manufacturers, food and drink producers and growers such as farmers and florists.
To be eligible, businesses must have a registered or trading address in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent, have been trading for at least six months, and carry out a meaningful element of their production process within the county. By working in partnership with organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the county council’s trading standards team, the initiative will also provide access to advice and expertise to support quality, compliance and long-term growth.
To mark the launch, 15 local businesses came together in a dedicated showcase space at the County Show, giving visitors the chance to discover and purchase a wide range of Staffordshire-made goods, from artisan food and drink to handcrafted items and locally produced products.
Among those at the County Show were Hay and Astley – a family-owned business run by Dave and Julia Hayhurst which makes natural lavender products from English lavender at its farm base in the Trent Valley.
Julia said:
We are a Staffordshire lavender producer based on my family farm in the Trent Valley. We grow all our own lavender, harvest it by hand and get it distilled. Dave then puts it into all the lovely products that we sell to the public.
We’re part of the Made in Staffordshire initiative because we feel it’s important to showcase where we’re from. My family has farmed here for over 100 years and that means an awful lot to us. And the fact that we are part of that farming community but are diversifying into something a little bit different – and telling the public about it – makes this kind of initiative brilliant for us to be able to get that message out there.
We are a fantastically creative county and very diverse. If more people can buy local and support small independent businesses like ourselves, that’s brilliant. By having the Made in Staffordshire mark, you’re buying something knowing exactly where it has come from and has been locally and sustainably sourced.”
Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills, said:
Staffordshire is home to some outstanding businesses and producers. Made in Staffordshire gives them the recognition they deserve while helping customers buy local with confidence. Supporting local enterprise, creating jobs and growing our economy are key priorities for us, and this accreditation is another practical way of helping Staffordshire businesses succeed."
Businesses interested in joining the Made in Staffordshire scheme can find out more and apply online on its website.
Members of the public can also visit the website to explore the growing directory of local businesses, discover unique Staffordshire-made products and support local producers.
Hannah Ault, Chair of We Are Staffordshire said:
The launch of Made in Staffordshire is a powerful way to champion our businesses, strengthen pride of place and showcase our county.”
Julia added:
To other business thinking of joining Made in Staffordshire, I would say that it’s another string to our bow – something which says this is where we’re from and this is what we’re doing. The fact that it’s backed by the county council is brilliant.”
They can discover more about Hay and Astley on the company website.
