Grand ambitions at Breckland Orchard

Claire Martinsen gave up a successful career at Mars to launch a range of soft drinks - and spend more time with her family. And a year on she is a big step closer to making Breckland Orchard a million pound business. SAM WILLIAMS reports.

Launching her range of fruit drinks at regional food exhibition Feast East last year, Claire Martinsen had a name, labels, bottles, and by the narrowest of margins her products to show - but not a single customer.

Now one year on to the day, exhibiting at this year's event the mother-of-two boasts a growing list of nearly 300 outlets stocking her drinks and a major industry award.

And with bold plans for expansion she is already a big step closer to achieving her aim of making Breckland Orchard a million pound business.

Mrs Martinsen, from Watton, joined confectionery giant Mars in 1997, performing a number of roles before becoming an account director for the company.

But after 12 years at the firm, with two young children, she was forced to reconsider her options, making the difficult decision to give up her job to allow her to spend time with her family.

She said: “I absolutely loved working for Mars. But with two children, then aged one and three, I realised that I couldn't keep job, as there was lots of commuting to London and I was staying in hotels one or two nights a week.

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