Fresh milk at your self-service!
Farmers are diversifying with £70,000 milk and milkshake vending machine
TEENAGER Jessica Bailey is the driving force behind a new idea to help keep her family’s farm afloat.
The 17-year-old is running a self service milk and milkshake vending machine with her mum Andrea.
Shakes On The Rocks was launched at Wickenstone Farm off New Street, Biddulph Moor, on Good Friday.
The venture is the brainchild of Jessica to try and sustain the farm’s future.
She told The Sentinel: “I just heard about people setting up milk vending machines.
“We are struggling to stay afloat so are giving this a go to try and provide us with more money. It is something different for people in this area to come and get their own milk out of a vending machine.”
Mum Andrea, aged
47, said the adapted shopping container and vending machine cost the farm about £70,000 to set up.
She said: “It has been very busy since we opened. It is open from 7am to 11pm and is unmanned. But if anyone has any problems there is a number for them to call and we can be there very quickly.
“The farming industry has got to diversify. The cost of everything is going up besides fuel.
“We had to buy a container and the vending pasteurising machine cost £55,000. Altogether we have spent about £70,000.”
The machine sells a litre of fresh milk for £1.40 and a litre of milkshake for £2.00 or a cup of fresh milk for £1.00 and a cup of milkshake for £1.50.
Customers can buy a reusable glass bottle for £2.00.
The milkshake flavours on offer include strawberry, chocolate and banana. There is also a weekly special.
And for those who prefer a hot drink there is a coffee machine with a vast choice including expresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte, mocha, hot chocolate and tea with prices ranging from £2.25 to £3.00.
There is also a picnic area where customers can sit and enjoy their drinks and marvel at the spectacular views over Biddulph towards Mow Cop.
Andrea added: “Jessica has been the driving force. It was built from scratch by Nigel Lindop and Steve Taylor. They have done it to a very high standard.
“It is all computerised so we can tell the levels of milk in the machine. We come up three or four times a day to empty the bins and keep on top of it. We will be doing different weekly specials. “If it does well we can expand into other things. We are cutting out the middle men to try and make more profit.”
Customers have been very impressed with the self service machine. Helen Bailey, aged 41, of Biddulph Moor, who is not related to the family said: “We love it. It is great fun. Having three boys, I run out of milk quickly. It is handy having it up the road. We will definitely be using it again.”
Jacob Doorbar, aged 16, of Biddulph Moor, said: “I had about four litres of chocolate milkshake. It was amazing. I am going to keep using it. It is probably the best milkshake I have ever had!”