Delivering a better experience.
Our history

Where it all began

From humble beginnings stocking just 4 products, to stocking over 7,000!

The story of Birchall Foodservice is a remarkable journey that began in 1905 with George Chichester Birchall's simple yet visionary horse and cart deliveries of cream, eggs, butter, and yeast in Burnley.

In 1939, as the world braced for the Second World War, GC Birchall Ltd officially emerged, marking a new chapter for us.

We have always been based in Burnley, and we’re exceptionally proud of our working class, Lancashire heritage. Over the years, we’ve grown from horse and cart deliveries to a commercial mill in the 1930s and then onto our current home in Burnley Bridge Business Park in 2015.

We have to say, it’s been quite the journey - take a look for yourself!

1905

The beginning of wholesale services delivered by George Chichester Birchall using horse and cart (Just cream, eggs, butter and yeast!)
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1930

Our first substantial commercial premises, Trafalgar Mill, opened offering a full grocery range
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1939

The first registration of G.C.Birchall by Edgar Birchall (son of George)
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1950

We shift from retail to catering supply
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1978

Colin Birchall becomes Managing Director, working alongside Christine Birchall
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1982

Trafalgar Mill is modernised with concrete floors and our first computer. Exciting times!
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1985

Distribution expands across the north
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1998

We become a founding member of the Country Range Group
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2002

Relocation to Network 65 Business Park for a more modern premises
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2004

We develop regional distribution sites in Sheffield, Durham and Stoke-on-Trent
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2007

Launches a frozen foodservice range for caterers
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2008

Colin Birchall launches Stir It Up magazine for caterers through Country Range Group
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2015

Moves to Cobalt House, enabling fresh produce and butchery expansion
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2016

Justin Birchall takes over as MD and is the 4th generation to direct the company
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2016

Industry-leading development kitchen with training and exhibition facilities (TED Centre) is developed
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2019

Celebrating 80 years as a company - Courtney and Sigourney Birchall are the 5th generation to join the business
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2020

Click & collect services are offered to the public during the Covid pandemic under the ‘Birchall Foods’ brand
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2021

Officially launches OrderMate, an online ordering platform after 4 years of development!
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2022

Reduces carbon emissions by 46% with solar panels and electric vehicles
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People taking part in training

Looking to the future...

We recognise that the foodservice landscape is ever-evolving, and we’re putting big resources into IT, AI and digital transformation, aiming to enhance both our internal operations and customer experiences. We’ve begun the process of exploring various AI tools and technologies to identify if they can help us streamline processes, improve efficiencies, and save time. Our marketing and IT teams are investigating generative AI technologies to assist with document creation, online image enhancement and product copy. And in operations, we’re hoping to trial robots for zone picking in the warehouse. Looking to our online ordering platform, OrderMate, we’re aiming to launch a number of big upgrades in the coming years, including bringing Estimated Delivery Times and barcode scanning to the app.

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We're honest

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