Spotlight On … Uttoxeter
Its central position on the A50 corridor provides distribution routes to suppliers, installers and distributors across the UK, while the area offers a workforce with technical skills and pride in local manufacturing.
Tuffa is continuing to expand its product range in response to changing installer and environmental needs. Its latest launch is the ultra-slim 1250SLB bunded heating oil tank, a 600mm-wide model designed for space-restricted sites. The company is also focusing on fueltransition solutions and compliant AdBlue storage for commercial fleets.
Taking a chance on the town
The belief that Uttoxeter deserves investment is shared by a growing collection of independent businesses too.
Chef-patron George Lowe grew up in the town, attended its schools and long believed it was missing a higherend restaurant. When he and his wife, Gemma, were deciding where to establish their restaurant, the choice came down to Uttoxeter or Lichfield.
“ At the time we felt Lichfield would be the‘ safe’ option,” he said.“ But I’ ve done a lot of community work in Uttoxeter and, if we wanted to help put the town on the map and bring some footfall in, we thought we would choose the harder route and choose the town.
“ We’ re a town-first business. We always have been.”
UTTOXETER RACECOURSE
The decision has paid off and Lowe’ s on Carter Street has featured among OpenTable’ s top 100 restaurants in the UK for two consecutive years and, George said, has held the number-one position in Staffordshire for two years. He has also recently received a Young Person in Business award.
The restaurant recently took over the adjoining property, knocking through and moving its bar into the new space. The investment doubled the business’ s footprint and added covers to the 45- seat restaurant.
George estimates Lowe’ s attracts around 1,000 visitors from outside Uttoxeter each month, helping the town develop a reputation for food alongside its more established attractions.
That desire to build something in the place where he grew up is echoed by Joe Handforth, owner of Mint Cocktail Company. Joe’ s business began in 2015, when cocktails were roaring back into fashion and he started delivering cocktailmaking classes. The idea grew from there, eventually leading to a cocktail bar in the centre of his home town.
“ I went to school in Uttoxeter and grew up going to the pubs and bars, so now owning a cocktail bar in the heart of Uttoxeter is something that I’ m very proud of,” he said.
“ We love Uttoxeter. We don’ t give it enough credit. We have lots here that we
MINT COCKTAIL COMPANY should be proud of, and I believe in a‘ use it or lose it’ attitude.”
Mint has now signed an agreement with Uttoxeter Town Hall to take responsibility for the bar there. A refurbishment is nearing completion, bringing a fresh look while respecting the building’ s heritage. The company is planning weddings, events, awards dinners and film screenings in the space.
Collaboration and community
For all three businesses, Uttoxeter’ s defining strength is not a single building or attraction but its close knit community.
Joe points to independent businesses and shops that support one another, while George has made collaboration part of the way Lowe’ s operates. Each month, the restaurant works with a different local business or professional. Previous partners have included a nutritionist, florist, musician and counsellor, with collaborations extending from specially created dishes to joint promotion.
“ As a community, we really do look after each other in Uttoxeter,” George said.
He sees that most clearly through the restaurant’ s annual Christmas community meals. Anyone who would otherwise go without can request a free Christmas dinner, which the team delivers on Christmas Eve. Local people support the initiative by contributing or volunteering to make deliveries.
“ When we do that every year, I really see the spirit and fabric of Uttoxeter come together,” he said.“ It is truly a place where, for the most part, people look after each other.”
Chloe similarly describes the town as“ community-minded, resilient and proud”- a place that combines rural charm with ambition and where residents and businesses work together.
That view is shared by staff at Tuffa, who
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