Busy times for Colette who has no time to put focus on Lisselan

BY EMMA CONNOLLY 

FULL-scale production got underway this week at Clonakilty Food Company’s multi mullion euro headquarters as further expansion in the UK market is announced.  

Its €7m facility opened on Western Road in October and this week saw the last of its operations transferred from Little Island to Clonakilty where 50 people are currently employed. 

In a just announced deal, the world famous blackpudding is now being stocked in 80 Sainsbury stores in the UK, up from the 40 stores previously. 

Ocado, the UK online supermarket, is also now stocking the brand’s Ispini sausages, in addition to existing listings for its extended range of black pudding, white pudding, and bacon.

Chief executive Colette Twomey, said: ‘Since 2015, our black pudding has been available in selected Sainsbury’s, Budgens, Morrisons and Ocado and in the last year we’ve seen a 15% uplift in volume sales. We don’t know what Brexit will bring but we’re selling and marketing in the UK all the time.’

The award-winning business woman said they were also exploring potential new markets and buyers in Europe and enjoyed ‘great exposure’ to both at last week’s Market Place event organised by Bord Bia in the RDS. 

All things combined, Colette says she has ‘too much going on’ to focus on her near €3m purchase of Lisselan Estate on the outskirts of the town. ‘The golf course and farm land continue to be leased but I’ve no definite plans as yet for the house.’

Revealing she was considering the French chateau styled house for business purposes  rather than as a private residence she added: ‘I’ve lots of ideas but nothing concrete. It is livable as it is – it just depends what we want to use it for. Very simply it could work now as a country home; but our other ideas would require more time and effort.’