Cornish farmers respond to Coronavirus threat with HSBC UK support

A farming couple from Cornwall are quickly responding to the coronavirus outbreak by delivering premium meat boxes to house-bound customers.

Matt and Pip Smith, co-owners of Trefranck Farm near Launceston, secured a six-figure finance package from HSBC UK to launch their Westcountry Premium Venison business in December 2019. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, they are now offering three different varieties of meat boxes to support those self-isolating or unable to access to food supplies.

The meat boxes include the Delicious Venison Taster for 2 box, Luxury Venison Taster Box and Everyday Family Venison Box home delivery boxes, which all contain a different selection of premium venison, steak, mince, burgers and sausages.

Pip Smith, co-owner of Trefranck Farm, said: “We’ve worked incredibly hard to launch Westcountry Premium Venison as a wholesale business supplying restaurants and wholesale butchers. However, when the Coronavirus started spreading, we very quickly had to think of an alternative way to supply our meat to consumers and make it as easy and safe as possible for them to enjoy it. Starting any new business is taxing but having to diversify quickly to respond to the current climate has made it all the more challenging! Thankfully, our HSBC UK relationship manager Karl Carter has been invaluably supportive throughout this whole process and we can’t thank him and the bank enough for their support.”

Euryn Jones, HSBC UK’s Regional Agriculture Director for the South West and Wales region, commented: “Having spotted an opportunity to provide food to people across the UK who were increasingly at risk of not being able to get to the shops, Matt and Pip are an exceptionally innovative and progressive couple and they quickly adapted their business model and are now bringing their premium product direct to people’s doorsteps. We are delighted to have been able to support this and we look forward to continue seeing the business flourish.”