ONE OF NEWLYN's longest-running businesses is celebrating a milestone anniversary.
The Cornish Mead Company has been producing mead and fruit wines for 50 years – and to mark its birthday, the distinctive packaging has been given a 21st-century makeover.
The redesign, which is the 75cl bottles' first overhaul in the firm's history, features wrap-around packaging with designs inspired by tattoos and fruits.
Creative company Gendall said it wanted to incorporate Cornwall's nautical past and to give a contemporary look that would appeal to a wider audience.
The company began in a converted cinema in the port, with a small bar selling fruit wines, Cornish mead and sherry.
Basic cooking facilities were introduced, which served up half a chicken with chips – and the first Cornish Meadery was created.
The family-run firm, with managing director Sid Leiworthy and son Matthew at the helm, now operates seven meaderies in Newlyn, Trewellard, Penzance's Waterside and Branwells Mill, Redruth, St Agnes and Budock Water.
The mead and fruit wines – which range between 14% and 17% alcohol by volume – are still made in Newlyn, at Mount Prospect Terrace, which produces some 50,000 bottles a year.
Interest in mead has soared in recent years, thanks to its appearance in the Harry Potter movies and TV series Lark Rise to Candleford, said Matthew.
The bottles' new packaging is designed to make it appeal to a younger audience, plus it's now lighter and more environmentally-friendly, say its designers.
With plans to extend the modern look to the 37.5cl range, those at the firm are looking forward to a bright future.
"Initial reaction to the new designs has been very positive. The iconic product within remains unchanged, utilising the same secret recipes that have stood the company in good stead for the last 50 years," said Matt. "The company looks forward to the next 50 years of producing Cornish mead."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN