Cumbria sausage firm to close after 183 years in business
In what is bound to be disheartening news for small food businesses up and down the country, iconic sausage firm Richard Woodall in Cumbria has announced that it will be closing its doors for good after 182 years in business.
The managing director of the butchers' firm, Colin Woodall (the eighth generation of his family to manage the business), is retiring due to ill health and he has no successor.
The Waberthwaite business will therefore close on Christmas Eve, 2010, causing a total of 21 food job losses.
A world-famous company, Richard Woodall is the sausage maker for the Queen, supplying the royal household with top-quality sausages, bacon and hams. In addition, the firm supplies a number of major retailers such as Selfridges.
As MD and holder of the royal warrant Colin Woodall is retiring after being diagnosed with leukaemia aged 51, Richard Woodall as an authentic brand will technically be no more. However, the manufacturing rights of the firm will be taken over by Cranswick Country Foods Plc, who will produce goods under the iconic brand name.
Speaking of the difficult decision he had to make in closing one of Cumbria's oldest food businesses, Colin Woodall said:
The managing director of the butchers' firm, Colin Woodall (the eighth generation of his family to manage the business), is retiring due to ill health and he has no successor.
The Waberthwaite business will therefore close on Christmas Eve, 2010, causing a total of 21 food job losses.
A world-famous company, Richard Woodall is the sausage maker for the Queen, supplying the royal household with top-quality sausages, bacon and hams. In addition, the firm supplies a number of major retailers such as Selfridges.
As MD and holder of the royal warrant Colin Woodall is retiring after being diagnosed with leukaemia aged 51, Richard Woodall as an authentic brand will technically be no more. However, the manufacturing rights of the firm will be taken over by Cranswick Country Foods Plc, who will produce goods under the iconic brand name.
Speaking of the difficult decision he had to make in closing one of Cumbria's oldest food businesses, Colin Woodall said:
"It is a very emotive time, a very sad time and the sale is not a decision I have taken lightly.
"I do need to think about my health."
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