Irish Black Butter for high-end Irish retailers
Portrush-based Irish Black Butter has been listed by two of Ireland’s most prestigious food retailers. The company, founded and managed by Alastair Bell, is now supplying its unique sweet/savoury spread to high-end Avoca and Fallon & Byrne stores in the Republic.
Avoca has around 10 stores on the island of Ireland, including a hugely popular outlet in Belfast city centre, while Fallon and Byrne has a network in greater Dublin. Both retailers also operate successful gourmet restaurants.
The latest business in the Republic follows an earlier deal with Sheridans, the leading Irish cheesemongers which is distributing Irish Black Butter, a Food NI member, there.
The listings strengthen the market position in the Republic of Irish Black Butter, developed by entrepreneur Alastair Bell, and launched in 2018 under the ‘New Taste of Ireland’ identity.
The spread features ingredients such as Armagh bramley apples, treacle, brandy and spices and has been created with the advice and guidance of top chef Paul Clarke, managing director of multi-award winning En Place Foods, also based in Northern Ireland.
The product, now also selling in Britain and attracting strong interest from niche food stores in the US and Germany, has proved an outstanding success with delis and farm shops throughout Northern Ireland. It’s now available in over 100 stores and also at Belfast International Airport and Dublin International Airport.
The company, a Food NI member company, has been actively involved in promoting the spread at major trade shows in Britain and the Republic during the past six months.
Mr Bell, commenting on the latest listings, says:
“The new business with Avoca and Fallon & Byrne is an immensely exciting development for Irish Black Butter in the Republic, a target market for us. Both businesses operate gourmet food halls especially in the Dublin area. The business provides access for us to an affluent customer base interested in different and richly flavoured products. I am grateful for Sheridan’s continuing support in the Republic. It’s a tremendous endorsement of our innovative product by two respected food retailers and of our overall reputation as a producer of a quality and outstandingly tasty product.”
