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Two page advertising feature. Redmans enjoys best ever trading.

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The success story of T. Redman and Co. Ltd., the local family owned multiple grocers illustrates how modern efficient management can meet the challenge in changing trends of food merchandising, retaining traditional qualities but forging a trading group capable of meeting any competition.
In North East Lancashire and as far afield as the Fylde and industrial areas of Yorkshire, the name Redmans is renowned for Danish bacon and other speciality foods. That‘s a sound reputation which originated in Burnley 70 years ago and progressed to the present situation in which the group is enjoying its best ever trading.
It does so from a new head office and warehouse at the former textile factory, Briercliffe Mill, Harle Syke, now converted into a modern unit, with hygienic food storage facilities and modern office equipment, ideal for continued service to the thriving organisation. That is something which could hardly have been envisaged by the two Redman brothers, Albert and Tom, who founded the business. And it is even more efficient than the group’s former premises at Gannow Lane, which served for 40 years until the recent move was necessitated by the proposed line of the new motorway. Control of the firm has been passed down to two succeeding generations. The present managing director, is 35 years old Mr. Christopher Redman, who is a grandson of the founder and incidentally the younger brother of Mr. Brian Redman, the world famous professional racing driver. In recent years many other family run grocery multiples have disappeared and Redmans are proud to have withstood severe competition and the mounting costs to remain the only one in this part of Lancashire.
Says Mr. Christopher Redman, “We have had our share of ups and downs over the years, and we went through a period between 1964 and 1971, when we had to alter greatly our style of trading. A considerable amount of business came, originally, from our two bakeries and several small shops, which were dependent on our firm’s order delivery service to maintain their trade. As transport costs and wages rose, those became unprofitable and had to be phased out. It was sad to have to lose loyal staff and some of the stores which had been part of the group for many years but it was essential. The streamlining of the group’s retail outlets reduced the total from a peak in 1950 of 37, to 13 in 1971. Consequently the company returned to profitability, and has now expanded again to the present situation with 21 outlets in towns from Blackpool to Wakefield, with the biggest concentration in the Burnley, Nelson, Colne and West Craven districts. Now we are adequately equipped to face the future. Nothing is easy in these days of fierce competition and staggering overheads. But with discerning customers, loyal staff and an experienced board of directors we are placed to continue for another 70 years.”