Newcastle condiment producer targets £200k turnover with rebrand

The Sweet Beet, the Newcastle-based condiment firm, has unveiled a new website and re-branded products as it looks to hit the £200k turnover mark at the end of the financial year.

Founded by the Texas-born come North East native Lizzy Hodcroft, the company will also look to recruit up to three new members of staff to fulfil its growth plans.

Lizzy Hodcroft, a former chef, was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the North East Business Woman of the Year Awards in 2017.

The Sweet Beet’s products are now available in over 60 farm and deli stores nationwide as well as the nation’s largest online supermarket, Ocado.

Over the next 12 months, the company plans to export into Europe, the Middle East and China and appear on the shelves of leading speciality food stores.

Lizzy Hodcroft explained: “The Sweet Beet intends on becoming a leader in the food industry for innovation in the condiment sector, showcasing our keen eye for taking risks to discover and utilise my unique palate for new flavour combinations.

“We have gone from strength to strength, inspiring home cooks across the country with the confidence to explore in their own kitchens, whilst bringing to myself the excitement and passion of entrepreneurship. I am quickly being recognised as one of the rising stars of the industry which is a huge honour.

“The Sweet Beet challenges consumers to make food their own way, to go crazy in the kitchen. We want people to have some fun, and be brave. Food shouldn’t be dull, so we’re fighting back with flavour and empowering our consumers to be inventive and bold.”

Despite only trading for less than a year as a Limited company, The Sweet Beet has racked up a number of achievements and national acclaim for its condiment range.

In early May 2018, The Sweet Beet received airtime when BBC 2’s culinary expert Nigel Barden showcased the company’s Habanero Lime Jelly on Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show.

The Sweet Beet has also appeared on BBC’s Farmer’s Country Showdown this year and was recently selected as Company of the Month by Food and Drink Matters Magazine.

Speaking about her vision for The Sweet Beet and her plans for the future, Lizzy added: “Ambition and focus have fuelled me forwards quickly and allowed for rapid growth within the business and the opportunity to mentor and help other start-ups.

“Having found my own beat through entrepreneurship, I am now on a mission to inspire and nurture other creative start-ups, building on the success of being awarded North East Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2017.

“For the remainder of this year, The Sweet Beet will be working closely with the DIT to identify and structure a strategy for export.

“We will be looking to attend at least one trade mission with the Department of International Trade and will also seek funding and grants to allow for research and development.

“The Sweet Beet is actively seeking investment to spend on bringing staff into the business. New product development will seek to open up a top-four strategy for The Sweet Beet which would allow us to work with larger retailers such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s. This is only the beginning!”

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