Clearwater Hampers
Ludbridge Mill
Peter
& Rachael Austin founded Clearwater
Fish Farm in 1980 on the site of a mill on a chalk stream tributary to
the River Thames, 15 miles south of Oxford. Clearwater
Transport was an early adjunct to the fish farm and grew into one of
the largest UK based transporters of live fish. The fish rearing activity
is now leased to the former fish farm manager. The transport activity was
sold to one of the other UK based live fish transporters in 1999 and Peter
and Rachael now work full time on the hamper business.
Clearwater Hampers, (which is a partnership between Peter & Rachael), was founded in 1979 as a sideline to the fish farm selling smoked Scottish salmon by mail order to retail customers. In the early 80's champagne and chocolates were added to the range, then other food products and then wines so that a very wide variety of hampers and gourmet food packs are now available.
The Corporate Hamper Co. Ltd, (which is owned by Peter & Rachael), was formed in 1992 to handle hamper sales originating from overseas. Sales and marketing were first concentrated in Canada, where the company now has more than 95% of the "Gifts to Britain" market. Subsequently the company has become involved in the Middle East, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Between 1993 and 1999, the group’s annual turnover grew from under £500,000 to over £1,500,000. Turnover in the year 2000 is expected to exceed £1,900,000.
The business is based at Ludbridge Mill, East Hendred in a purpose built office, storage, packing and distribution building. In 1991 we added a further 3,000 square feet to the original building of 2,400 sq. ft.