NORTH-EAST Prima Cheese, one of the largest exporters of dairy products in the country, has expanded into London to exploit opportunities for international trade.

Prima, which operates from its headquarters in Seaham, County Durham, exports its products to more than 50 countries worldwide and specialises in the supply of processed cheese.

The family-owned and founded business has now acquired new premises in north London, as part of its ambitious plans for further growth in 2024, acquiring the property through its property portfolio company, Prima Projects.

Prima South is a unique retail and office space located on the vibrant and artistic Holloway Road in Islington. The property, known as The Billiard Factory, is occupied by multiple creative businesses and is directly adjacent to the National Youth Theatre, which makes this an ideal and strategic acquisition for Prima to establish their southern base of operation.

Sintons, longstanding advisers to Prima, dealt with the transaction, with Alok Loomba, partner, supported by Chris Jackson, senior associate, leading on the transaction with the support of a wider team.

Alok said: “Prima Cheese was founded in 1996 and since then it’s grown to become one of the UK’s leading cheese processing businesses, exporting to countries around the globe.

“Prima’s is a real success story and the acquisition of this new site in London marks a significant milestone in its growth, opening doors to new markets in the UK and beyond.”

Nagma Ebanks-Beni MBE, co-chief executive officer of Prima Cheese, said: “More than 25 years ago, Prima started operating out of a small industrial unit in County Durham; but we had big plans and today we’re one of the largest exporters in the North-East.

“Our new London base is a key part of our growth strategy and Alok and his team moved quickly to help us secure the premises we wanted.”

Nima Beni, co-chief executive officer of Prima Cheese, added: “The mix of creative businesses operating from the site appealed and, being located right at the heart of the Borough of Islington makes it an ideal base from which to facilitate, host and deal with more international trade partners.”