£2m investment in new 'allergen free' factory in Harrogate

New Harrogate factory - Kirsty Henshaw, founder and managing director of Kirsty's in her company's new development kitchen.

As well as offering a boost to the Harrogate economy, the new factory will give Kirsty’s the capability to produce 20 million ready meals per year as well as scope to play in other categories such as soups, pies and sauce.

The completely allergen free site, which has been a dream for owner Kirsty Henshaw since she first founded the business 10 years ago, will enable the brand to move away from co-manufacturers, where free-from new product development can be problematic.

But, with the factory being built during lockdown, owner Kirsty Henshaw has managed to navigate the brand, her team and her family through what she says has been a testing period

Kirsty's has invested 2 million in a new allergen free factory in Harrogate that will help the brand achieve their target of doubling the size of the business within three years.

Kirsty’s business started 10 years ago following Kirsty, the founder’s, long search for free from food options that her son would be able to enjoy, after discovering he had several allergies.

Kirsty then went on to enter Dragon’s Den in 2010 and worked with Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne for the following three years.

The brand, which is now worth £11m, sell an award-winning range of chilled ready meals, frozen pizzas and frozen desserts which are always gluten and dairy free and are now stocked in every major supermarket in the UK.

Founder and managing director Kirsty Henshaw, said: “From the very first day I started the business I have always wanted to own my own factory, it was a goal that I always wanted to achieve.

“Up until now we have worked with hand-picked manufacturers and whilst this has given the brand security and an easier route to market over the years it didn’t give me the flexibility and control over my own destiny that I’ve always craved.

“Now the factory is up and running I’m looking forward to this new chapter in Kirsty’s history.”

But the launch of the new factory off the A59 at Springfield Farm on Cold Cotes Road near Kettlesing Head,hasn’t come without its challenges.

Since taking ownership of the new site in January, Kirsty has had to juggle the day to day running of the business, oversee the project team building the factory and set up a new family home for her children all whilst the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting lockdown took place.

Kirsty Henshaw said: “Fortunately food manufacturing is defined as key work, therefore during lockdown we have been able to keep pressing forward with the business and I’m extremely proud to have been able to supply free-from ready meals to millions of families during this testing period.

"However, the lockdown has brought several unforeseen challenges, I have recently had to set up a new family home for my children and play teacher, entertainer and of course my original role as mum.

"Add trying to maintain some form of social life, remembering to exercise and top it all off with launching a new factory and you get quite the juggling act!

“It certainly has been one of the most challenging, stressful and emotional few months of my life but we managed to make it to the other.

"We’re looking forward to sharing what the new factory will bring to the brand.

"New product development has always been a passion of mine and I’m sure that our customers won’t have to wait long before seeing new and exciting free-from products hitting the shelves.”

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