Much loved Wilmslow business, The Cheshire Smokehouse, has unveiled plans for a comprehensive upgrade of its current site. These include the creation of a new café, improved food production facilities and an enhanced visitor environment to safeguard the business for another generation.
The fourth-generation family run business has been based in Morley Green for almost 30 years after relocating from its former site in Cheetham Hill. For over a century, Cheshire Smokehouse has been producing special cured and smoked foods using tried and tested methods passed down through generations.
During this time, it has grown over the years to include its own expert butchery, artisan bakery, smokery, food preparation facility which makes its own charcuterie and ready meals. The shop offers a wide range of top-quality deli items from cheeses to sauces, fresh vegetables, condiments, fine wines and hampers.
With sustained strong demand for its home-made local produce and requests for its friendly café to reopen, the business is now working with Manchester-based practice Up North Architects to reconfigure the site to create new and improved facilities. Euan Kellie Property Solutions are providing planning advice
The popular shop will remain in situ with its entrance relocated so that it becomes much easier to access from a revamped car park area, fully landscaped with trees and green space as well as charging points for electric vehicles. Sustainability is at the heart of the improvement plans, from solar panels, cycle facilities and EV charging points to the creation of a new green space to promote biodiversity.
A new food production building will provide the facilities needed to enable the Smokehouse to continue to produce its famous smoked goods on site and meet modern food production requirements. A new café will be positioned on the ground floor adjacent to the new food production building, providing plenty of outdoor seating. The café will be open no later than 5pm.
Darren Ward, Owner of Cheshire Smokehouse, said: “Our business dates back to 1907 when my great grandfather, John Ward, opened a bacon smoking business in Cheetham Hill, Manchester after returning from Canada where he learnt how to smoke food.
“In 1992, we opened our site in Morley Green which has gone from strength to strength. We now employ 36 members of staff and support a wide variety of local businesses and farmers.
“Our improvement plans give us the opportunity to bring back a new and improved fully accessible café which is requested by our customers on a daily basis. Customers will be able to watch the smoking process in our new food production facility and get an insight into the way we work.”
Before submitting a planning application to Cheshire East Council, the Smokehouse has been sharing its plans with members of the community for their comments.
More information about the plans can be found at www.cheshiresmokehouse.co.uk.
