Yearsley celebrating 60 years in business

John Yearsley, Harry Yearsley, Mayor Surinder Biant, Mayoress Cecile Biant, Peter Yersley, John Searle and Brian Tomkinson

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The Yearsley Group is celebrating 60 years in business this year.

60 years ago Harry and Isabella Yearsley started a fresh fruit and veg business in Rochdale with their three sons, Peter, Roger and John Yearsley, joining them as they left school.

60 years to the day since the company was formed, family, friends, long serving staff members and dignitaries from Rochdale Council, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Surinder and Cecile Biant, celebrated with a birthday luncheon and presentation at the company's head office in Heywood.

Harry Yearsley (third generation), Managing Director, said: “I want to thank all customers and staff for their support over the past 60 years. The highs and lows of the last six decades have seen Yearsley Group establish itself as the leader in UK frozen logistics and the largest independently owned frozen food wholesaler.

“With 12 depots, 300+vehicles, over 1,500 product lines and 1,200 employees, plus our ongoing strategic growth plan, it remains our privilege to serve the UK frozen food market for the foreseeable future.”

The Yearsley Group has also been involved with a year-long campaign to raise £60,000 for 60 years, to be split between four national charities, Parkinson’s UK, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research and Help for Heroes and 12 local charities chosen by employees.

Mayor Surinder Biant commented: “Yearsley Group and their employees are to be commended on their fundraising efforts and support for their chosen charities. Rochdale is proud to be part of their expansion and growth and will continue to support them in the future.”

To mark the occasion all 1,200 staff received a commemorative newspaper remembering some of the more interesting events from the past 60 years and a Yearsley Group cupcake.