A £16.8 million investment to increase capacity has been revealed for the First Milk plant in Aspatria.
First Milk said it was the largest single capital investment project to date at its Lake District Creamery and reinforced the co-operative’s long-term commitment to British cheese production, its farmer members and the wider Cumbrian economy.
The project, which follows previous investment totalling £30m at the site in recent years, will see the existing cheese vats replaced with new, larger vats as part of a significant upgrade to the creamery’s production capabilities.
Once complete, the investment will increase production capacity by a further 20%.
The project will span two financial years and is designed to support the efficient production of high-quality cheddar cheese and dairy ingredients, while strengthening the creamery’s long-term operational resilience and future growth potential, the co-operative said.
Stefan Mason, cheese business unit director at First Milk, said: “This is a hugely important investment for First Milk and a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to the Lake District Creamery, our farmer members and the wider Cumbrian economy.
“As a farmer-owned co-operative, we are focused on creating long-term value through efficient, resilient and high-quality dairy production. Increasing the capacity and capability of the site will help us meet growing market demand, strengthen operational performance and support future growth across the business.
“Lake District Creamery is a strategically important site for First Milk, and this investment ensures it remains well positioned for the future.”
The announcement follows continued investment across First Milk’s operations as part of its long-term strategy to build a resilient and regenerative dairy business.
Lake District Creamery has also recently benefited from investments linked to First Milk’s strategic whey protein partnership with Arla Foods Ingredients, supporting growing global demand for high-protein dairy products.
The co-operative has also announced that it will work with Nestle to switch from diesel-run trucks to those running on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel.
The trucks will move milk from First Milk dairy farms in Cumbria and Ayrshire to the nearby Nestlé factories in Dalston and Girvan.
It said the move was expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions for the journeys by 83%, saving around 1,000 tonnes of CO₂e every year – the equivalent of more than 200 cars on the road for a year.
Working with logistics partners, TP Niven and Wm Armstrong, First Milk said it now used HVO, sourced exclusively from Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme accredited suppliers, with full traceability.
Nestlé UK & Ireland said it was committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
First Milk has pledged that all milk transport and processing would use renewable fuels by 2030.
