Press Releases

Breckland Orchard

10 Aug 2011

English Tastes go Continental

With flavours like Sloe Lemonade and the newly-launched Dandelion and Burdock, Breckland Orchard soft drinks sound quintessentially English…

Now the tradition-inspired brand – dubbed ‘Posh Pop’ by its founder Claire Martinsen – has secured a following abroad, with export orders from Austria, Germany and Sweden.

“We’ve recently got our first overseas customers to add to our growing base here,” said Claire, who has just won the title of 2011 East of England Businesswomen Startup Business of the Year.

“It’s a really exciting development and something I hadn’t anticipated. It’s great to know that such typically English flavours can appeal in other countries too.”

Inspired by the home-made lemonade her grandmother gave her as a child and encouraged by a growing interest in products with a strong geographical anchor, Claire launched Breckland Orchard in March 2009. It is the only carbonated soft drink made in the East of England. Using local spring water, the range comprises seven innovative flavours including Ginger Beer with Chilli, Strawberry and Rhubarb, Sloe Lemonade and now the new Dandelion and Burdock.

In just two years, Claire has grown the business to supply over 400 trade customers across the UK, including farm shops, delicatessens, restaurants and gastro pubs, as well as Harvey Nichols and the National Trust.

Earlier this year, Breckland Orchard introduced new screw-cap bottles via wholesalers to make the product more accessible and perfect for the food-service sector.

“Starting a new business during a recession was always a huge risk. But things are going well, we’re expanding and I am very confident for the future. Most importantly, I am doing something I really love,” said Claire.