Cheshire Smokehouse plans improvements and new accessible café space

Cheshire Smokehouse Opening Sign And Entrance December 2022

Confidentials 30 November 2022

Wilmslow favourite, which turned 30 this year, set for public consultation

If you love Cheshire Smokehouse - which let’s face it, it’s hard not to - you’re going to love news coming out of Wilmslow about improvements and plans to bring back a fully accessible café. Announced on social media channels last week, the speciality food shop and artisan producer has asked the public to get involved in a consultation on the future of the Morley Green site.

The news will be music to the ears of regulars and seasonal frequenters alike, and comes as the shop gears up for a busy festive period.

People Shopping At Cheshire Smokehouse In Wilmslow — **Grab a basket, fill it with smoked goods** Image: Cheshire Smokehouse

Bring back café culture

A pillar of the Morley Green community for 30 years, Cheshire Smokehouse is an independent, family business split between a shop selling speciality food and drink and a smoking business specialising in meats and other food products. The family business was originally founded in 1907 when John Ward opened a bacon smoking business in Cheetham Hill, having learned the skill in Canada.

The Morley Green site was set up in 1992 and has since developed into a butchers, bakery and delicatessen, selling among other products, charcuterie, fine wines and cheeses. Cheshire Smokehouse has been a champion of local brands and stocks the likes of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, Fold Fermentary and Burt's Cheese. The business employs 30 full-time and 6 part-time members of staff.

Change is afoot however, and plans revealed last week aim to expand the current site as well as preparing it for the future. A shop refresh, a fully accessible café and a new food production building are part of the plans.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of the new vision. Solar panels and cycle infrastructure as well as tree planting and green spaces.

Mince Pie Ice Cream At Cheshire Smokehouse In Wilmslow — **Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, mince pie and clotted cream flavour** Image: Cheshire Smokehouse

Consultation time

A public consultation event will take place on 5 December from 3pm to 6.30pm, drinks and nibbles included, to give locals a chance to input into the plans. A feedback form will also be available online for anyone unable to be there in person.

Cheshire Smokehouse, Vost Farm, Morley Green, Wilmslow SK9 5NU