Pendle vegetable business set to move after bumper year

Bosses at Richard Wellock and Sons, which supplies hotels and restaurants across the country, want to switch from their base in Skipton Road, Trawden, to the West Craven Business Park in Earby.

They hope to lodge an application next week with Pendle Council to seal a move which would almost quadruple floor space from 10,000 square feet to 36,000.

The firm also hopes to take on more staff after defying the recession and boosting sales by 30 per cent last year.

In June 2008 talks were organised after residents campaigned to have enforcement action taken against the 150-year-old firm because it was causing a noise disturbance.

Pendle Council said it could not take action because the company was adhering to planning law.

George Askew, who represents Trawden on Pendle Council, said: “This is excellent news.

“Residents have complained about the noise from Richard Wellock and Sons, with lorries turning all through the night.

“I wish the company well in its move but some of what residents have had to put up with has been horrible.”

Manager Jo Wellock, daughter-in-law of founder Mr Wellock, said: “It is a big step for us.

“But it is not just about us moving into something slightly bigger, we want a larger premises so we can continue to expand.

“People were not expecting us to have had a good year but we have had a very good year, taking on new customers and new farmers as suppliers.

“It seems as if the hotels and restaurants we supply changed their outlook to remain successful in the recession.”

The company, which prides itself on using local farmers, sells fruit and veg direct to some customers, but also supplies hundreds of hotels and restaurants all over Britain.

Its successful 2009 saw it boost turnover to £12million and increase staff numbers from 70 to 90.

Mrs Wellock added: “This time last year we were looking at a reduction in staff numbers but we have grown brilliantly.”