Charity’s cider sales bid

A Herefordshire educational charity is hoping to sell the cider it makes on its “care farm” to the public.

The Houghton Project runs a 200-acre mixed farm at Houghton Court, Bodenham, which “provides people with opportunities to develop transferable skills and engage in productive work within an inclusive, restorative and therapeutic place”, its licensing application explains.

It produces food, drinks and wooden items for sale, with users of the service involved throughout – creating “significant additional value for individuals, organisations and wider society”, the charity says.

Among the products is cider made from the farm’s orchards, which it is now seeking a limited premises licence to sell the public for off-sale at the farm between 9am and 5pm seven days a week, as well as online sales.

The farm has previously sold limited amounts of medium dry and medium sweet ciders and a perry.

As part of its application, the charity undertakes to install and maintain a CCTV system, to maintain a register of those refused sale, and to train staff involved in the sale of alcohol.

Staff will also have to record and retain details of internet sales to ensure these are made only to those over 18.

Consultation on its licensing application ends on September 7.

The project work in partnership with Herefordshire Council to deliver adult and community learning courses, funded by a contract with the Government’s Education & Skills Funding Agency.