Top UK marketing award for Northern Irish farm enterprise

Cloughbane Farm Shop, a Northern Ireland producer of ready meals, has gained the UK Food Chain Marketing Award in the Pig and Poultry Awards in London.

Based at Pomeroy in county Tyrone, Cloughbane developed from a family farm owned by Sam and Lorraine Robinson and their two sons.

The judges also commended the business for its brand identity for a brand that was "traditional but used very creatively and in a contemporary manner".

More than twenty businesses received an accolade, recognising their contribution to the pig and poultry industries. These were the sixth annual awards and the categories were closely fought due to the number of entries received. All the winners have shown that they are among the very best in the industry - for innovation, forward thinking approach, and constant striving to produce top quality, tasty produce

Lorraine Robinson, managing director of Cloughbane Farm, says: "We are thrilled to have won this very prestigious award for quality produce and effective marketing. It's a tremendous endorsement of the business, our staff and customers."

The company, established in 2002, is now among the most successful and progressive farm diversification businesses in Northern Ireland. It draws its meat, mostly from Aberdeen Angus and Limousin cattle, raised on 180 acres of rich pasture in County Tyrone. The family has been working the land around Pomeroy since 1906.

As well as beef, the farm raises lamb and free-range eggs. In addition to its own beef, the company sources supplies of high quality meat from other local farmers. It employs 40 people and supplies products such as pies to major retailers in the UK and Ireland.

Mrs Robinson adds: "Provenance is a key marketing feature for us. Customers know that the products use ingredients from our farm and surrounding farms and that they are processed to the highest hygiene standards. Our farm shop provides essential first hand feedback from shoppers and will remain an important part of the business."

Pic: Sam and Lorraine Robinson of Cloughbane Farm Foods.