Relishing the festive opportunity (From York Press)

Relishing the festive opportunity

9:52am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Business news By Julie Hayes, Business editor

CHRISTMAS has come early for two York preserves producers.

Raman’s Handmade Relish, based in Strensall, has won its first major retail deal with UK kitchenware chain Lakeland.

It has secured a top spot for two of its relishes in Lakeland’s Christmas range, which means the products will be stocked in 59 stores across the country.

Raman’s Handmade Relish Duo, which includes Butternut Squash Relish and Aubergine Relish, comes as a boxed gift, and will also appear on Lakeland’s website.

Raman’s Handmade Relish, was set up by niece and aunt, Priya and Geetha Raman, in 2010, after the relish went down a treat at Priya’s son’s school fete.

The family recipes are passed down from grandmothers and mothers and the pair, who have lived together in Southern India, the Middle East, America and now the UK, bring together exotic Indian spices with Yorkshire fruit and vegetables.

Priya said: “We’ve always aimed to make it into an upmarket shop like Lakeland so we’re delighted to win the contract.

“Lakeland liked our family values and our passion for good quality ingredients, and the fact we don’t compromise on quality or our brand values.

“We hope this will be a foot in the door to more retail wins and that it’s just the start of the journey for us.”

Preserve and condiment company Mercers of Yorkshire has also increased the range of its products it supplies to Asda to 42, with the introduction of six new Christmas products.

The Wheldrake-based jam and chutney manufacturer has added Mincemeat with Brandy, Brandy Butter, Cranberry & Port Sauce, Peaches in Brandy, Black Cherries in Kirsch and Whole Baby Pears in Port to its Asda range.

The news follows new product launches in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Booths, Proudfoots, and most recently Sainsbury’s for husband and wife team Paul and Lizzie Mercer this year. It is also a producer of WI jams, marmalades and chutneys, which are sold in Waitrose and Booths, as well as farm shops, garden centres, delis and visitor centres nationwide.

Paul Mercer said: “It’s an exciting time for us at the moment with our new Christmas range hitting the shelves this month and two nominations for awards.

“It’s seems all our Christmases really have come at once.”