Dunsters is hopeful of a return to 20% year-on-year growth

Posted by on 1 Aug 2021

Rochdale based food service business Dunsters Farm is embarking on a recruitment drive in a sign that a tough 18 months for the sector is beginning to ease.

The long-established family-run food supplier is currently recruiting for six positions, including drivers, as it looks to return to the 20% year-on-year growth seen before the pandemic. The new hires, which also include warehouse staff and a customer support assistant, will help the business expand its product range and customer base while maintaining its reputation for excellent service.

Hannah Barlow, managing director of Dunsters Farm, said: “With the majority of our customers being from the education and hospitality sectors, we felt the effects of the pandemic swiftly and deeply. But we used the time wisely, and we’re now in a position to press ahead with projects that will make the business even more resilient in future.

“Just before the start of the pandemic we began to work with and found support from the Rochdale Development Agency, the economic development agency for the borough. Through them we have engaged with other businesses in the area through online events and networking.

Our latest venture with the RDA is the production of a recruitment video with local award winning Google photographer Dan Root, the video captures what Dunster’s is about and we’re delighted with the end product. Rochdale is definitely a place where businesses are supported.”

So far in 2021 the business has expanded into fresh produce and joined the buying group Caterforce. This adds to the business innovation quickly adopted at the start of the pandemic, which saw Dunsters opening its doors to the general public for the first time in its 60 year history letting local people order groceries and essentials direct to their homes.

Class 2 drivers are in short supply nationally, but Hannah believes that their flexible approach and small, family-business feel will attract the right candidates for the roles. She added that further vacancies are likely to arise in the near future.

“Hospitality is slowly unlocking but things might not return completely to “normal” till summer 2022. But the diversification and business remodelling that we’ve already completed, and the exciting plans we have for the future, means that we need to make that long term investment in our team today,” said Hannah.

To learn more about opportunities at Dunsters Farm please see here