Ronnie Miles, Bells Food Group managing director, throwing rolls of pastry in the air in celebration

Source: Bells Food Group

Bells Food Group managing director Ronnie Miles

Lanarkshire-based Bells Food Group has been awarded a major contract to supply own-label pastry to Tesco stores throughout the UK.

The contract, which has resulted in the creation of 15 jobs, will see Bells Food Group produce 5.5m packs of puff pastry in five different formats – including ready roll, block, and Tesco Finest butter pastry – for the retailer. They will be available in 862 Tesco stores across the nation, with the first batches on shelves now.

“This is a significant achievement for the business and down to the quality of the products, the team at Bells and the trust that Tesco has invested in us to deliver this contract which will double the turnover of our Dykehead Bakery,” said Ronnie Miles, managing director of Bells Food Group.

“This news follows a successful period for Bells on the back of increased sales and brand innovation which secured third place in Scotland’s top 50 food and drinks brands.”

Bells Food Group moved up to third place in Kantar’s analysis of the top 50 Scottish take-home food and drinks brands (excluding alcohol) in 2022, behind soft drinks brand Irn-Bru and Grahams Family Dairy.

The third generation family-owned firm produces pies, pastry, and cakes from its two bakeries in Shotts, Lanarkshire. It has annual turnover of around £26 million, employs around 220 staff.

“Tesco has a long history of supporting the Scottish food and drink sector and a long history of working with Bells,” added Philip Wilson, buying manager for pastry.

“It’s great to see these two things come together with Bells now supplying Tesco own label across the UK. We look forward to serving our customers across the UK a fantastic pastry.”