Returning from WWII and wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, Eric Richmond set up a butchers shop in Ossett in late 1945 which focused on staying local, sustainable and ethical. His aim was to provide the finest quality pies using local produce, whilst ensuring steady growth based on strong, long-term relationships with customers, partners and supplier chain.

Between 2014 and 2017 the business’ turnover doubled, based on word of mouth recommendations alone. Eric Richmond Ltd pies have won many awards and today, the company are looking to grow once again by investigating new markets. The name has since been changed to ‘Eric’s’, whilst keeping the traditional ethos and award-winning recipes.

How has SIAFS supported Eric’s?

The team at Eric’s attended a number of workshops and have most recently taken up one-to-one support in Videography. The finished video is available to view here.

The video has added value to Eric’s online presence and social media footprint, as well as allowing them to tell the story of their small-batch, high-quality pies in shops, on stands and at exhibitions across the country.

Eric says: “We have attended a number of SIAFS workshops that have helped with identifying new markets and improving our communications strategy. We are also investigating new product development, looking at producing smoked meat products.”

About SIAFS

The SIAFS (Stimulating Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector) project offers free access to business workshops, networking events and masterclasses, as well as our science expertise in the agri food. SIAFS is funded by the European Regional Development Fund. You are eligible for this free project if you are a business in either agriculture or food (or somewhere in between) from West, North or East Yorkshire with less than 250 staff.

This project aims to stimulate innovation in the agri-food sector, in order to grow your business.