Brownings the Bakers and Co-op staff smile outside a store with a trolley full of pies

Source: Brownings the Bakers

Left to right: Brownings MD Declan McMahon, Nicola McCulloch, commercial director, Co-op store manager Derek Bryson, and Brownings sales director Fraser Gall outside the Co-op in Galston

Scottish business Brownings the Bakers has secured a £1m national supply deal with Co-op for its pies.

A trio of the Kilmarnock-based family-run firm’s savoury pies are rolling out in over 300 of the convenience retailer’s stores across Scotland. They are:

  • The Famous Kilmarnock Pie (available in 298 stores) – a hearty pie filled with chunks of beef served in a rich gravy encased in handcrafted traditional pastry
  • The Big Kilmarnock Pie (available in 316 stores) – a larger version of the above
  • The Belter Bridie (available in 171 stores) – the famous Kilmarnock Pie steak & gravy filling encased in flaky bridie pastry.

“Co-op has always had a brilliant reputation for supporting local food & drink and Brownings are delighted to launch our wonderful range of savouries to Co-op shoppers across Scotland,” said Brownings managing director Declan McMahon.

“This new business has helped generate new jobs at Brownings, making a positive impact to our local community and local economy.”

Established in 1945 and currently celebrating its 80th anniversary, the bakery employs over 200 staff and supplies major supermarkets, convenience outlets and independent stores across Scotland and northern England, as well as Premiership and Championship football clubs in Scotland and the Premier League in England, and six of its own shops.

Co-op buyer, Aisha Abdel-Samie added: “Championing local producers on our shelves is a key part of strategy at Co-op, and we’re thrilled to offer Brownings the Bakers pies and bridies across over 300 of our Scottish stores.”

Over in Northern Ireland, Tesco has also been championing locally bakery producers. Last month it expanded its range with 31 locally-sourced items including brioche muffins and farls from Irwin’s Bakery, a wide selection of cakes from Genesis, rolls, tarts, and pancakes, from Bertie’s Bakery, and more.

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