A DYNAMIC Worcestershire couple are preparing to beef up their burger business, after moving to larger premises to aid their ambitious expansion plans.

Muddy Boots Foods, which was launched in 2008, is owned by husband and wife team Roland and Miranda Ballard, of Shrawley.

The Ballards decided to move from London and swap their high-flying media careers in the big smoke for the big grill to make gourmet burgers, which are already a hit with major supermarkets and restaurants.

The couple have signed a three-year lease for Unit 1, Hope House Farm, from which the company’s sales, marketing, finance and logistics departments will operate.

Mrs Ballard said: “We set up the business three years ago from a converted barn on my father-in-law’s farm.

“We needed more professional premises so we could expand our business and employ more people. We chose Hope House Farm because it is the perfect location for us to grow.

“We aim to triple the size of the company in the next 12 months. We already employ an office manager but could potentially hire six or seven more people over the next three years.”

Charlotte Fullard, of estate agents Halls Commercial, said: “Hope House Farm provides Muddy Boots with enough space to accommodate its ambitious, but achievable, expansions plans.”

Muddy Boots Foods products are stocked in 40 Waitrose stores, Budgens, Midcounties Co-Operative food stores, Ocado and with some independent retailers.

It also supplies burgers and steaks to restaurants, as well as selling products online at muddybootsfoodhall.co.uk.