There was a time when milk was delivered to every doorstep in the UK. A milk float would pull up to many a front door in the early hours. The traditional milkman in his electric float would deliver glass milk bottles full of delicious fresh milk and sometimes orange juice, butter and eggs as well. Almost everyone had their milk deliveries delivered right to their front door, but these days, only a handful of people still use this great service.
So, when did we stop seeing milk delivery as normal in the UK, and why has our once-thriving British milk industry gone downhill so much?
The Rise and Fall of Traditional Milk Delivery in the UKA Time When Almost Everyone Had Milk Delivered
For years and years, milk deliverers were an essential part of British homes. Milk was delivered using a milk cart, at first pulled by a horse and cart, before they upgraded to those iconic milk floats. When they brought in the first glass milk bottle in the late 1800s, doorstep milk deliveries became even more convenient for everyone.
In the UK, during the mid 1900s, the dairy industry was thriving. Many local dairies supplied fresh milk to customers, often delivered to their doorstep. Alongside milk, customers could purchase bottled milk and other grocery items from their local milkman, often receiving a bill or simply leaving cash on the doormat for them to collect.
In the 1970s, many customers still had their milk delivered, most homes still had their glass bottles of lovely fresh milk delivered weekly. The doorstep milk delivery service was a British institution, but then what happened?
Why Did Milk Delivery Decline?
1. The Rise of Supermarkets and Plastic Containers
One of the main reasons that milk delivery has disappeared over the years has been due to big supermarkets. As they started selling milk at heavily discounted prices, many dairies were no longer able to compete. Instead of going down to a local dairy or friendly milk deliverer, people began to buy their bottled milk as well as their other groceries during their big weekly shop.
At the same time plastic containers revolutionised the way we stored our milk. Unlike the glass milk bottles, plastic containers were lighter, did not require bottles to be returned and lasted longer in the fridge. Good refrigeration meant families could store milk for much longer meaning they no longer needed deliveries as often.
2. Changing Lifestyles and Consumer Habits
More and more of us work different hours and don’t follow the old morning routine, so daily milk deliveries were no longer necessary. There were fewer people waiting at their doorstep for the traditional milkman and many customers would find it easier to just buy milk whenever they wanted it.
3. The Decline of Local Businesses
As the supermarkets grew bigger and bigger, local businesses like your local dairy, local butcher and corner shops found themselves in more and more competition. Have you noticed how small dairy farms have been disappearing? This meant fewer local milk deliverers around and many dairies had to close down.
4. Payment and Security Concerns
In the past, people would leave money on the doorstep for the milkman but due to concerns about night crime, this practice fell out of favour. Some milk deliveries attempted to address this by allowing customers to pay online however this was not enough to revive the fortunes of milk delivery services back to its former glory.
The Local Milkman Could Be Making a Comeback
Although milk delivery is not as common as it used to be, we are seeing a bit of resurgence in recent years. People are becoming more aware of the health of our planet and are turning back to glass milk bottles instead of plastic packaging. There are still some local, passionate dairy companies who are still proudly delivering milk to customers who want a more eco-friendly and convenient option and it’s great to see it making a comeback.
Many of the new milk deliverers will have an online ordering system to allow you to pay online rather than leave cash or a cheque on your doorstep. Electric milk floats are also back in use which help reduce carbon emissions. Good refrigeration and improvements in delivery systems mean that customers can now order a variety of grocery items as well as fresh milk. Some of the passionate local dairies are also expanding and selling milk, cream and butter to bring back parts of the traditional British milk industry that we all knew and loved.
Will Milk Delivery Ever Be as Popular as Before?
Although it may be making a comeback, it is unlikely that milk delivery will ever be as popular as it was in the early 1900s. The large supermarkets, changes in shopping habits and the plastic containers have forever changed the way we purchase and consume our milk.
However, for those who value local business, the environment and the traditional milkman, doorstep dairy deliveries are still a great option. Whether it’s the return of glass milk, the sight of an electric float or the possibility of having milk delivered to your doorstep when you wake up dying for a cuppa, the tradition of milk delivery lives on, albeit in a different form.
If you would like to receive fresh milk from a local dairy then please have a look at
G and S Dairies Cardiff for reliable doorstep milk deliveries in your local area. No more waking up to no milk in the fridge!
