Riviera Iced Tea to supply all of Lincolnshire Co-Op stores

A soft drinks business is making its retail debut — with its owner set to see her drinks sold in a supermarket chain across Lincolnshire.

From today (May 16) Riviera Iced Tea, founded by Fran Gresswell, will be available in all Lincolnshire Co-op stores and available to buy with meal deals.

The drinks, made with no artificial flavours or sweeteners, offer a low-calorie, natural, gluten-free, and non-carbonated drink option in peach, lemon and raspberry and mint flavours.

The brand, based in Newark, was launched three years ago, when Fran was a criminology student, and felt a gap in the UK market for a better-tasting, non-carbonated iced tea — although she said at the time, other students and friends laughed at her idea.

Now the business is thriving and has since been sold in over 250 cafes and independent stores across the country.

On her retail debut, Fran said: “To take this next step and make it easy for our customers to get their hands on Riviera is such a proud moment for me.

With no business background, apart from one single business module during her time as a university student, Fran spent three months researching and speaking with people for business advice.

“To have my iced tea in the fridges of Lincolnshire Co-op has always been the aim.

“I wanted to wait until the perfect time, and it is such a surreal moment seeing them in the fridges next to so many incredible, huge names.

“Being a local brand, it’s a perfect match for our first retail launch.”

Packs of six cans are available for £12.99 and a bundle of 30 cans for £45.

It can also be found at The Riviera Iced Tea website.

Stacey Hudson, Goods for resale buyer at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “We’re so excited to welcome Riviera Iced Tea into our Love Local range, expanding options for our customers and helping a wonderful local business to grow.”