Stilton Production to Return to Derbyshire

Cheese production is set to begin in Ashbourne with the opening of a new creamery

Half a million pounds has been invested into Hartington Creamery, which will be producing the first commercially-made Stilton in Derbyshire since the Long Clawson factory closed in 2009.

The group behind it expects around 50 tonnes of cheese to be produced in the company's first year.

Claire Millner, owner of the Hartington Cheese Shop and one of the people behind Hartington Creamery's opening, said, “It's very exciting. It's taken about two years and a lot of work to get to this point and we're all thinking that when the first milk goes through there'll be some Champagne corks popped that evening.

“There's such a history to Derbyshire Stilton-making and we've already had so many enquiries so I know selling it won't be a problem – we're just really looking forward to getting started now,” she added.

Grants from the LEADER programme helped get the project off the ground, and the firm will initially take on ten members of staff.

There will also be a training area specialising in teaching people how to make cheese.