Kurt Künzli (10 September 1935 – 21 September 2017) was a Swiss-Canadian-British entrepreneur and the founder of Thursday Cottage, a well-known artisan jam and preserves company in the United Kingdom. He was known for small-batch, handcrafted production methods. His business played a role in promoting artisanal food production in post-war Britain.[1]

Early Life and Relocation to the UK

Künzli was born in Switzerland and later moved to Calgary, Canada, before permanently settling in the United Kingdom in 1961.[1] Though he originally trained as an architect, he soon pursued entrepreneurial ventures, applying his structured and detail-oriented mindset to business.

Founding of Thursday Cottage

In 1963, Künzli founded Thursday Cottage, an artisan jam and preserves business, in Spaxton, Somerset.[2] The company was named after the cottage where he first started producing jams and marmalades. His small-scale, home-based production gained popularity due to its emphasis on traditional methods, high-quality ingredients, and hand-filled jars.[3]

The company was officially incorporated on 21 January 1976, according to Companies House records.[4] During the 1970s and 1980s, Thursday Cottage expanded, supplying specialty shops, farmers' markets, and high-end retailers.[5]

In 1990, Künzli sold the business to Pam and Hugh Corbin, who moved production to Uplyme, Dorset.[5] The company was later acquired by Wilkin & Sons (Tiptree) in 2002, under which it continues to operate.[6]

Entrepreneurial Impact and Business Philosophy

Künzli's background in architecture influenced his approach to business, focusing on precision, efficiency, and craftsmanship. He was an early advocate of artisanal food production in the UK, emphasizing natural ingredients and small-batch manufacturing—practices that were later adopted by a growing number of independent food producers.[1]

His contributions positioned him among notable European entrepreneurs who shaped the specialty food industry in Britain during the 20th century.[1]

Political Involvement

During the 1980s, Künzli was listed as a candidate for the SDP-Liberal Alliance in the Victoria Ward elections in Bridgwater.[7]

Later Life and Death

After selling Thursday Cottage, Künzli remained active in various business and intellectual pursuits. He was also noted in Swiss records for his involvement in aviation quizzes.[8]

He later retired to his home, Spaxton Cottage, in Somerset, United Kingdom, where he lived until his death on 21 September 2017.[1]

Family and Descendants

Künzli had a son, Paul Kurt Künzli, who pursued his own professional ventures. His grandson, Alexander Paul Burton (née Künzli), is an international musician based in Toronto, Canada, continuing the family's tradition of creative and entrepreneurial endeavors.[9]

Recognition and Legacy

Thursday Cottage remains a recognised brand in the artisan food industry, maintaining Künzli's legacy of handcrafted, high-quality production methods.[2]

In 2023, the Thursday Cottage team shared a historical photograph provided by Künzli's granddaughter, commemorating the company's origins and its founder's contributions.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Corbin, Pam (11 July 2019). Business and Entrepreneurship in Post-War Britain. Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-1-4088-8448-5. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Thursday Cottage Official Website". Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  3. ^ Gosling, Gerald & Thomas, Jack (2004). The Book of Uplyme: Portrait of a Devonshire Village. Halsgrove, Tiverton. ISBN 978-1841143354. Retrieved 28 February 2025.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Thursday Cottage Limited - Company No. 01241242". Companies House. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b Richard Bull (2010). Industrial Lyme – Preserves (PDF). Lyme Regis Museum. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Wilkin & Sons Company Profile". Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Election Report - Victoria Ward". Bridgwater Mercury. 1980s.
  8. ^ "Swiss Records – Aviation Quizzes". Swiss Archives. 2000s. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  9. ^ "Alexander Paul Burton Official Website". Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  10. ^ "Thursday Cottage Instagram Post (12 October 2023)". Retrieved 28 February 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_K%C3%BCnzli
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