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Former Corus worker Stephen Prest has turned from steel to gold. His new fudge business, set up with wife Michelle after he was made redundant, has scooped three gold star awards from the Guild of Fine Food.Northumbria Fudgery started just a few months ago with the help of a £7,500 grant and loan combination from UK Steel Enterprise’s Regeneration Fund, put in place by the Corus-subsidiary after the mothballing of Teesside Cast Products (TCP).
The Guild of Fine Food promotes excellence in speciality foods and the judging is very rigorous. UK Steel Enterprise’s faith in the new business was confirmed when the couple from Stanhope entered three of their hand-made, luxury fudges for the awards – all butter, all butter and ginger and white chocolate and mixed berry – and won a gold award for each one.
“To win a gold for each entry is such an accolade and will open some exciting doors for us,” said Stephen.
Northumbria Fudgery now produces 42 different flavours is regularly selling out at fairs, agricultural shows and farmers markets across the region.
“The shows are a great opportunity to talk to customers and get feedback,” said Michelle, who has been fascinated by sweets since she learnt to hand-roll sticks of rock at Rockafellas in Redcar years ago.
“We are doing wedding and party favours, supplying pubs and looking to develop new ranges and our website. By this time next year we aim to be in retail shops across the UK, be selling online and looking to create new jobs.”
Stephen, who worked at TCP for 25 years from leaving school said: “I loved my job but I saw redundancy coming so we didn’t waste any time in looking ahead and planning the business. UK Steel Enterprise has been fantastic as the whole application process took less than 10 days and we are delighted with our progress.”
Nick Johnson, UK Steel Enterprise Regional Executive, said: “Northumbria Fudgery’s products are fantastic and Stephen and Michelle deserve all their success and the gold awards. Our Regeneration Fund has now helped around 86 people into self-employment with around half of that number being former Corus workers.”
Details of UK Steel Enterprise’s support for business is available on 01642 777 77 and at www.uksteelenterpise.co.uk. Northumbria Fudgery is on 01388 529 428 or email northumbriafudge@btinternet.com.
Sweet success: Stephen and Michelle Prest with their eight year daughter Holly, who happily takes on the role of chief tester, and Nick Johnson from backers UK Steel Enterprise.
