One of the UK’s most Innovative Food Suppliers since 1980
We supply pubs, restaurants, food manufacturers, wholesale, contract caterers, fast food outlets and coffee shops with an extensive range of high-quality food. We lead on various food trends including “plant based”, which help drive our customers range and new development.
We are a ‘virtual’ food manufacturer and take pride in supporting our specialist branded products. We have key food expertise in value added vegetables, tomatoes, chestnuts, charcuterie, grains & pulses, pestos and plant-based ingredients.
How it all started and where we are now…
The Leathams Larder partnership was founded by brothers Mark and Oliver Leatham as a game & specialist supplier.
The brothers started their business by plucking game in their kitchen and delivering it to some of the best restaurants in London. Towards the end of the game season, they thought they had better find something else to sell, so branched out initially into smoked salmon and butchery.
Purchased our first large freezer space and deli outlet
in Chelsea, London.
Having outgrown our Chelsea premises, we moved to a leasehold warehouse in Camberwell for game and smoked salmon processing, storage, and distribution.
Leathams Larder Ltd was incorporated by equal founding shareholders
Mark & Oliver Leatham and Terence Faulkner and we also acquired Camberwell Cold Store.
Company re-registered as Leathams Plc.
Acquisition of Fayre Game – a quail farm and game processor in Lancashire.
Our first brand was born – Merchant Gourmet. Introducing the first ready to eat chestnuts to the UK market among other great ingredients.
Sale of Camberwell premises and move to our new HQ on Ilderton Road, Bermondsey.
Just one year later we launched Chefs Brigade®, bringing an array of quality ingredients to chefs for everyday use in the kitchen.
Launch of SunBlush® the original slow roasted tomato brand.
With its success in retail, Merchant Gourmet®
was launched into the Food Service sector.
Celebration of Leathams 21st birthday with an Annual Sales Growth of 21%
We launched two new specialist brands – Charcuti® bringing high quality European charcuterie products to the UK market and CherryBell® a crunchy sweet pepper with a sharp taste.
Opening of Nottingham regional sales office.
Annual Group Sales exceed £30m
Move to ‘virtual’ manufacturing model with sale of Fayre Game Ltd
Leathams in house brand sales exceed 75% own brand sales.
The year we launched our Roquito® brand. All the way from South America, these fiery peppers have now become a frequent feature on many pizza dishes in Italian restaurants and chains all over the UK.
Annual Group Sales exceed £50m
This year was our 30th birthday, and we introduced our
new company strapline
“Innovators in Food”
We launched our avocado range of La Fresca® products.
Annual Group Sales exceed £75m
The Group acquired Brital Foods, a bespoke food supplier to the foodservice and manufacturing sectors specialising in high-quality frozen products including breads, burger buns, pizza, pasta and desserts.
Acquisition of Chelmsford warehouse and distribution site.
Merchant Gourmet rebranding.
Annual Group Sales exceed £100m
Move from Ilderton Road HQ to the new Dartford Logistics Office.
Now in 2022 we still have the same passion for high-quality food as did Mark and Oliver Leatham in 1980.
We pride ourselves on being an innovative company, keeping up to date with food trends, but maintaining our tailored mindset for our customers’ needs in all the sales divisions.
Now in 2023 we still have the same passion for high-quality food that Mark and Oliver Leatham had in the ‘80s. We pride ourselves on being an innovative branded food company, keeping up to date with trends, but maintaining our tailored mindset for our customers’ needs in all the sales divisions. And always striving to live our Purpose of “Inspiring Food Discoveries from Around the World”!