Holland's History
Established 1851
We’ve certainly had our moments
When you’ve been baking since Victorian times, 1851 to be precise, you’ll have seen a great many changes.
- 1851The company was founded by John Whitaker as a confectioners shop in Haslingden, Lancashire.
- 1890Walter Holland bought the family business.
- 1907Holland’s moved to a much larger bakery from where pies were delivered locally by horse and cart.
- 1927The first of Holland’s famous brightly painted vans appeared.
- 1938A fleet of 20 vans were making deliveries around the North West.
- 1939Meat pies became the fastest growing line, and sugar rationing during World War II meant that cake production ended.
- 1946After the war, the decision was taken to sell the company to R.Gummer Ltd., a provisions firm of London and Liverpool.
- 1972Holland’s was bought out by Pork Farms.
- 1979Pork Farms, and consequently Holland’s were bought by Northern Foods to become part of one of the UK’s major food manufacturing groups.
- 2005New man at the helm Simon Clarke, new structure, bestever recipes, guaranteed golden future for Hollands.
In brief
Baxenden is the Home of Holland's Pies. Walter Holland and Sons’ famous pies and puddings date back to the middle of the last century. The company was founded by John Whitaker in 1851 as a confectioners shop in Haslingden, Lancashire.
Walter himself bought the family business in 1890 and moved to a much larger bakery in 1907, from where our pies were delivered locally by horse and cart. The first of Holland’s famous brightly painted vans appeared in 1927 and by 1938 there were 20 vans making regular deliveries around the North West.
Meat pies became the fastest growing line, and sugar rationing during World War II meant that cake production ended. After the war, the decision was taken to sell the company to R.Gummer Ltd., a provisions firm of London and Liverpool. Holland’s was bought out by Pork Farms in 1972, who were then bought by Northern Foods in 1979. We are now part of one of the UK’s major food manufacturing groups.
Any pie, any place, any way!
Every Holland's pie, pudding and pastry is made at the famous Holland's bakery in Baxenden, Lancashire. Our delicious products are available to buy throughout the North West from the smallest chip shop to the largest supermarket. We supply in a wide variety of formats from Frozen unbaked to Freshly wrapped off the vans either way you can always be sure of that great Holland's taste.
Best Ever Recipes!
Click here for details of major improvements to our most popular pies and puddings.
Click here for details.
