19 MAY 08 | FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Thatchers Cider has been named the Family Business of the Year for 2008 in the Bristol Evening Post Business Awards.

In the city’s most prestigious awards for commerce, Thatchers managing director Martin Thatcher received the Bristol Blue Glass trophy from Simon Pizzey, managing director of Veale Wasborough Solicitors.

This was the first time that Thatchers had entered the awards, and was also short-listed in the category for businesses with a turnover of over £5million.

Martin said, “This award means so much. We were up against some awesome competition and to win it is recognition of the commitment and enthusiasm that everyone at Thatchers shows in the production and marketing of our ciders.

”I’m very proud, and I’d like to thank everyone at Thatchers for their continued dedication which has helped make this possible.”

He went on, “The revitalisation of the cider industry over the last couple of years has been a huge talking point in the drinks sector and we are delighted to have been a part of this. We have been leading from the front particularly when it comes to producing top quality, interesting ciders that people want to buy. This is a credit to everyone who works for Thatchers across every department, from the growing of the apples through to sales and marketing.”

Over 300 people from Bristol’s business community attended the ceremony which took place at the Dolman suite at Bristol City Football Club.

Thatchers Cider was founded in 1904 by William John Thatcher. Today, the company employs 70 people, and is still situated on the family farm in Sandford, Somerset. Martin, William’s great grandson, is Managing Director, with Martin’s father, John, Chairman. The company is undoubtedly proud of its roots, and its philosophy of combining its heritage with state of the art production to meet the needs of today’s market is as strong as ever.