Co-op's The Apiary secures nationwide listing for Manchester's Northern Quarter-based dessert café, Black Milk

Manchester's Northern Quarter-based café, Black Milk, has secured a listing for its products in Co-op stores all over the UK after working with the convenience retailer’s accelerated support scheme for suppliers, known as the Apiary.

Located at 88 Oldham Street, Manchester, Black Milk will see products including its award winning Hazelnut Cream; Pistachio Cream and, White Chocolate sweet spreads stocked in approaching 300 Co-op stores nation-wide, including stores in the North West located in Manchester; Oldham, Ashton, Stockport, Bolton and Rochdale.

Co-op’s Apiary programme searches for new purpose-led small businesses with a unique point of difference. Successful applicants receive valuable tailored support, mentoring and advice on all aspects of the product journey towards gaining a listing in store.

Oliver Taylor who founded Black Milk said: “We're obviously really pleased to work closely with Co-op, especially as a fellow ethical Manchester-based business. This listing sees our spreads stocked in more communities than we have ever been in before, including here in Manchester and across the North West, and it has the potential to significantly raise awareness of our products.

“Since March 2015, our secret sauces and spreads have been developed in our café at the heart of the Northern Quarter, Manchester. These spreads have always been the most popular part of our menu. One day, whilst serving our luxury hazelnut milkshakes a customer asked for an extra shake jar filled with only our hazelnut cream – and we knew then that we had the perfect product to sell. Made with the finest of nuts, these spreads are truly memorable indulgences, we suggest serving them on top of bread, crumpets or croissants, baked into treats or even just eaten off the spoon.”

Kelly Orme, who is the Co-op Community Buying Manager for Local, World Foods & the Apiary, said: “We are really delighted to work with Black Milk, as the dessert café has developed an impressive reputation and following from its Northern Quarter base, and through our Apiary programme we have been able to spend time with owners Andy and Oliver and work closely with them to bring their sweet nut spreads into our stores. 

"We are thrilled to reach this key milestone where the product is now on our shelves - we believe these spreads offer a real point of difference to interest, enthuse and excite Co-op Members and customers in our communities.”

For more information about Black Milk and, to find your local store selling its sweet spreads, visit: blackmilkcereal.com