An Amesbury-based tea company owning the UK’s first fully solar powered tea factory are asking tea-drinkers to switch to their award-winning tea.
Solstice Park is the home to the UK’s first fully solar powered tea factory, creating products that are carbon neutral and compostable.
The family-run company have been running for over 150 years, winning 91 Great Taste Awards since 2011, across their range of black teas, oolong and green teas and fruit and herbal infusions.
Having previously worked in a smaller office in London, Birchall moved to Amesbury in 2018.
Managing Director Daniel Graham said: “We realised we were running out of space. An estate agent found this land for sale and said we would be able to build a purpose-built building here.”
Birchall Tea Factory has been open in Solstice Park since 2018 and has over 460 solar panels which run all their on-site operations.
It holds a British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification, which ensures the company has high standards of food safety and quality.
Products are accredited by Fairtrade, and black teas are Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Marketing Manager Alex Snowden said: “East Africa is at the heart of everything we do as a business. It’s the best tea in the world. It’s a great taste, always.”
Their award-winning English breakfast tea, Great Rift, retails at £4.99 for 80 square tea bags, and Birchall urge people to consider the benefits of spending an extra few pennies per cup of tea.
Alex added: “We want people to start thinking about price, and ask themselves that question – do I need to save three or four pence per cup of tea?
“We believe good tea is worth paying more for, we believe in good quality – and paying a good wage.”
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Great Rift alone has won a Great Taste Award for 13 consecutive years, making it the UK’s most awarded tea for taste. This year, they are aiming to receive the award for the 14th year running.
Alex Snowden said: “Have a look at our website – it’s not won Great Taste Awards for no reason. You just won’t regret it.”
Down in the factory, machines can package up to 2000 bags per minute.
Leading these operations is Quality Assurance Manager, Sarah Smith.
She said: “They are just so much fresher and better, it’s such a great product.”
They currently sell their products at retailers including Ocado, Cote and Booths, but are interested in expanding their range to businesses in the Salisbury area. To get in touch, visit their website
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