Clegg’s wins Best Chilled Food Distributor 2020

Longridge-based Clegg’s Chilled Food Service has triumphed against bigger rivals to win this award.

Clegg’s employs many local staff at their premises in Longridge, formerly specialised in cheese but have expanded into other areas to supply a wide range of chilled and ambient food products to various types of customers, these including public sector, contract caterers, wholesalers, sandwich shops and delicatessens, restaurants, hotels, sandwich producers and bakeries.

The company is very proud to win this award and General Manager Paul Masterson, said the recognition was a real tribute to the hard work of all the staff within the company.

He said: “Over the past 12 months Clegg’s have maintained and retained several key contracts to supply chilled and ambient foods to the National Health Service, universities and education establishments but the Covid-19 pandemic has also forced into finding other sources of income and we now sell to the public through an online shop www.cleggschilledfoodsevice.co.uk

"We are now offering free delivery for orders over £30 or collection from our factory. Doing this made us have to look at some different products, from those which we normally sell. We’ve had to source canned retail items, milk, bread, eggs, sausages along with fruit and vegetables.

"This has been very successful and when some of our public sector customers found out about the new products they have asked us to supply them with food boxes for the vulnerable families.”

From regional flooding to a recent deep freeze, and all during the worst health crisis in living memory, it would be understandable to witness the people of Northern of England falling to the pits of despair. That, however, is not the Northern way. A region noted for its strong work ethic, never-say-die attitude and entrepreneurial spirit, the Northern Enterprise Awards on SME News is here to remind everyone why the North of England is still the place for sound investment in skills, innovation, transport and culture.

A scant three years ago, Northern England was touted to become the new London as an emergent industrial revolution crested the horizon in the region. Initially appearing to be a slow burn movement instigated by Northern Powerhouse, dramatic transformations could soon be seen, as local infrastructure, technology and transport all saw increased investment. Investments which then stalled as confidence began to falter due to the pandemic.

Throughout it all, however, the Northern spirit continued to shine, like the proverbial silver lining and there to bear witness to the award-worthy achievements across the region has been SME News, as it accepted nominations from the best and brightest businesses the North has to offer. Martyn Walters, Lead Researcher for SME News commented, “It is always heartening to see the lengths businesses and companies take to ensure they offer the best products and services, but to witness the perseverance and ingenuity of enterprises, large and small, as they contend with the challenges thrust upon them is truly inspirational. If this list of award-winning enterprises doesn’t foster confidence for renewed investment in the region, I’d be surprised.”