Frank Roberts & Sons Limited
The business was founded in Mid-Cheshire in 1887 by Robert Roberts who started with a grocery shop and bakery in Castle, Northwich. Towards the turn of the century, the business moved to Lostock Gralam where during the early years the emphasis was mainly on grocery. In 1937 the bakery business of Middletons in Northwich was acquired and with this the emphasis of the company moved more towards bread. After the war, with increasing competition from large plant bakers, it was decided to concentrate solely on bread and a new bakery was built in 1952 on its present site in Rudheath.
During the late 50s and 60s retail bakers shops were opened which were in 1968 collectively renamed 'Anne's Cake Shops'. These shops continued to trade until January 1997 when the chain of shops was sold.
In 1988 a new bakery, The Pastry Case was opened on the same Rudheath site producing long life ambient pastry products. It has since established itself as a leading supplier of Gingerbread and hand decorated novelty biscuits, recently adding Chocolate clusters to its catalogue.
The Company has remained family owned. Frank Roberts and Sons Limited, incorporating the businesses of Roberts Bakery and The Pastry Case, produce nearly 3 million bakery products each week which are distributed throughout the United Kingdom and to a number of European countries.
Location and distribution
Frank Roberts and Sons Limited is based in Mid-Cheshire at Rudheath, Northwich. Roberts Bakery, their wholesale bread business, delivers daily to shops and supermarkets in the North West of England and the Birmingham area. Direct deliveries are also made daily in the North East, East Anglia, London and Scotland. Bread and morning goods are also exported to a number of European countries including France, Spain, Germany and Sweden.
The Pastry Case supplies products to bakers, confectioners, catering outlets and major supermarkets throughout the UK and Ireland.
Products
Roberts Bakery offers a wide range of morning goods including Finger Rolls, Batch Cakes, Bridge Rolls, Teacakes, Fruit Scones and Muffin cakes. The range of bread includes craft as well as plant bread. Varieties include: White, Brown, Wholemeal, Granary, Soft Grain, Danish and Malted Wheatgrain in 400g, 800g and half loaf sizes. Catering loaves are also produced in Oatmeal, Malted Wheatgrain, Soft Grain, Rye Bread, Six Grain, Herb, Brioche and Olive Oil varieties.
The Pastry Case offers a range of Puff Pastries, Choux Pastries, Plain Florentines, gingerbread and hand decorated novelty biscuits.