Better Business / Better Bristol
‘We are passionate about working with local businesses and supporting the local economy’
Martin Thatcher is the managing director of Thatchers Cider, a family-run enterprise located in Somerset.
The fourth generation cider maker assumed leadership of the company in 1992, succeeding his father, John Thatcher.
Having grown up on Myrtle Farm, the core of Thatchers Cider, Martin planted his first apple tree at the tender age of five.
His profound connection to the farm and the cider-making tradition has fueled his drive to innovate while preserving the quality and heritage of Thatchers Cider.
What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
It’s quite simply making the best cider. It’s something my family has spent 120 years doing! We’re all slightly obsessed perfectionists here on the farm, making cider with nothing but love. That’s what drives me; that attention to detail.
If we can change something to make it just 1 per cent better, then we can do that again and again, then slowly but surely things improve. We are incredibly proud to have seen the popularity of Thatchers continue to grow year on year. That’s down to our wonderful customers, and their passion for the perfect pint of cider.
“We are passionate about working with local businesses and supporting the local economy, from choosing to work with local companies like Aardman,” said Martin – photo: Neil Phillips Photo and Film Ltd
If you could pick one thing to change about Bristol what would it be?
Bristol is our home city. There is not much I would change. It is home to a fantastic and growing bunch of cider lovers, and that love is mutual!
There is nothing better than seeing the Thatchers hot air balloons flying over the skies of Bristol. Of course we need a clear day to do that, so if I had to change one thing it would be less rain. However, our trees love it, and it does help us grow the juiciest apples, so I mustn’t complain really.
What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
As a family business that has been operating on the same farm in Sandford for 120 years, we know the importance of being part of a community.
Looking after the people and environment around us is woven into the fabric of who we are. We are passionate about working with local businesses and supporting the local economy, from choosing to work with local companies like Aardman, who share our values and attention to pint-sized perfection, to employing and training local people.
Over 20 per cent of our employees either are, or have been, an apprentice in the company. Nurturing local talent and providing work for the local area is important for us.
It’s also about being able to give back to the fans who enjoy our cider. It’s why we support local sports teams, from Rovers and City, to Gloucestershire Cricket and the Bristol Bears and Flyers. Being part of the community, part of what makes Bristol great, what people love about the city and feel proud of. That’s what we strive for.
Three generations of the Thatcher family – John Thatcher, Martin Thatcher, Eleanor Thatcher – photo: Thatchers
What action could you as an individual take? What action could your company take?
It is hard to pick just one. I am passionate about developing young talent and the rewards of a good apprenticeship programmes for both the business and the individual. But sometimes it’s about getting back to our roots. Quite literally.
I believe orchards can be a very special place. Our orchards are a happy home to a supporting cast of millions who help make the cider; from the bumble bee that pollinates the tree, to the worm that puts nutrients in the soil. They also bring great joy to the people around them as a place of calm and beauty.
That’s why every year we give away community orchards to groups across the county. We have been doing it for a few years now and have so far given away over 1,500 trees. These orchards offer a place for communities to come together, to learn, to share, to connect with nature and reflect on the world around them. That’s something my family and I really value, and we love that we can share that with others.
“Being part of the community, part of what makes Bristol great, what people love about the city and feel proud of. That’s what we strive for,” – photo: Thatchers
What do you want to see from the Better Bristol business community in the next five years?
It would be great to see new collaborations and connections. A thriving hub of local businesses that share values and work together; from using local services to buying local produce to employing local people. It all helps.
Under Martin’s leadership, the company has seen significant growth, now overseeing 500 acres of orchards and producing a diverse array of ciders – photo: Thatchers
Main photo: Thatchers
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