Blackthorn Cider

After World War II, Taunton bought up local competitors, and from the 1950s started developing pasteurised sparkling ciders, which allowed the company to distribute product across the United Kingdom.

It was not well received by many consumers in its heartland in the south-west of England, who defaced The 'Black is Back' advertising campaign, alerted the press to their cause and organised Facebook protests.

[2][3] In March 2010, however, Gaymers announced that after the consumer backlash in the south-west, the 'original' Dry Blackthorn recipe would be re-introduced in the region.

[5] In January 2016, C&C Group announced that the Shepton Mallet site would close in summer 2016, with production and packaging transferred to Ireland.

[6] It was also announced that C&C would 'continue to source apples on a long-term basis from local farmers' and 'warehousing operations will be maintained in the town'.