Member Article

Fuelling business with Ringtons

One of Northumberland’s most popular service stations is fuelling its customer service and profits thanks to the installation of a brand new Ringtons hot drinks tower within its forecourt shop.

Owners of The Purdy Lodge in Belford have invested in a state-of-the art, bespoke coffee tower fitted with the latest La Cimbali bean-to-cup coffee machine. Specified and stocked by tea and coffee experts Ringtons, the machine has been installed to meet demand for top quality coffees and teas on the go and to allow for sales growth.

The Purdy Lodge in Belford is situated on the A1, the main route between Newcastle and Berwick, and the complex includes a garage forecourt, 24-hour café, hotel and bar and grill restaurant. The family business also operates self-catering holiday cottages.

Since installation of a custom-built Ringtons coffee tower, The Purdy Lodge owners have seen an 18% year-on-year growth in its hot beverages sales, with a similar footfall to the previous year.

Paul Hodgson from Ringtons said: “The Purdy Lodge has been a Ringtons client for a number of years now and our coffee, tea and sundries have been enjoyed in the cafe, hotel and restaurant by thousands of people during this time. When it became evident the forecourt’s existing coffee tower was not performing, we worked alongside John – one of the Lodge’s owners – to design, specify, install and supply a purpose-built coffee tower featuring a high tech bean-to-cup coffee machine. The tower’s machine grinds quality coffee beans to order and uses fresh milk to ensure a premium beverage – the fact sales have increased by almost 20% since installation is testament to the fact the hot drinks facility was worth investing in.”

Ringtons is renowned for offering a traditional doorstep delivery service, online store, business-to-business food services division, and a private label packing business. Operating from its head office in Newcastle, the company boasts over 20 sales offices, a team of over 500, and a north east factory which blends and packs all of the company’s tea and coffee to ensure quality and freshness.

John Davidson from The Purdy Lodge added: “The Purdy Lodge is situated on the busiest commuter routes between Northumberland and the Borders so we are popular with passing trade, commuters, locals and HGV drivers. Whether our customers are looking for a full meal, accommodation, a quick snack or a take away coffee we want to make sure they get the very best, and we know that with Ringtons this is always the case. Our previous coffee tower, although well used, was unreliable and the quality variable, but since installation of our new tower we can clearly see the impact having a recognised brand in Ringtons, great quality coffee and a well-designed coffee tower is having on our sales and repeat business and we expect this to only grow in time.”

Ringtons Beverages sells through its UK-wide sales team, an expert team of customer care advisors on Freephone 0800 0461 444 or online at www.ringtonsbeverages.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Ford .