THE success of an award-winning multi-million-pound wine business established in the North Yorkshire countryside has been praised by Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.
Mr Sunak said Bon Coeur Fine Wines, at Melsonby, near Richmond, was a great example of a business growing successfully in a rural location.
Bon Cour moved into a former transport depot on the edge of the village two years ago and transformed the building into a warehouse with a spectacular showrooms and offices at the front.
As well as tasting rooms and a retail outlet – Celler 21 – the development includes a full-equipped demonstration kitchen where chefs can cook their food to pair it with the right wines.
Bon Coeur was founded in London in 1994 by Yorkshireman James Goodhart, who relocated the business to his home county in 2008. During that time it has established itself as one of the UK’s leading independent wholesale wine merchants, serving a range of trade, corporate and private clients nationwide.
Since moving to Melsonby from Masham two years ago, the business has continued to grow with turnover topping £5m last year. Eighteen staff are now employed.
Earlier this year Bon Coeur was present with a gold international wine award for the quality of its vintage champagne.
Mr Sunak said: "This is a great rural business success story which demonstrates that businesses not usually associated with rural locations can grow successfully here."
Mr Goodhart said Melsonby had proved to be an ideal location for Bon Coeur which has clients all over the North of England and further afield.
He said: "Being close to Scotch Corner, the A66 and the upgraded A1 was a factor in our success. I also have to thank Richmondshire District Council's planning department which was very helpful when we were planning and building the development.