OUR RANGE
ABOUT HOLLAND'S PIES
OUR STORY
WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 170 YEARS
Starting life as a humble baker’s shop in Lancashire in 1851, Holland’s is a true British bakery baking proper tasty pies and puddings for over 170 years. Our traditional recipe is a well-kept secret, using only the finest ingredients and passed down from generation to generation. Each and every bake is handled with care and craftsmanship, something we’re extremely proud of. Find out why we’re loved by millions and grab some of our tasty grub today.
Follow Our Journey
OUR BAKERY
Our Bakery: Our Home
The Holland’s bakery moved to Baxenden in 1929 and ever since then we’ve called it home. Working from the heart of the community, we’ve grown our northern base to serve homes and businesses across the UK and we’re incredibly proud of the network we now get to call our Holland’s family.
Throughout the years, our traditional values and treasured pie recipes have always remained securely in place. From our cooking methods to our specially blended pastry, we’re committed to delivering the iconic taste of Holland’s that our customers have grown up with. A taste they know and love!
SOCIAL
Follow Our Journey
1851
This is where our journey began as, deep in the heart of Lancashire, Mr John Whittaker opened a small business on Lower Deardengate in Haslingden – a confectionary shop full of tasty treats!
1866
Working alongside his stepdaughter Sarah, Mr Whittaker built up his busy family-run business and it wasn’t long before extra help was needed. It was at this stage that Richard Holland from Chester joined the team as an apprentice.
1869
With love in the air, as well as the seductive smell of baking, Richard and Sarah walked down the aisle in 1869. Richard bought into the business and, as John Whittaker retired, the bakery’s name was changed from Whittaker’s to Holland’s.
1870
The couple’s first son, Walter, was born, to be followed later by five more children including a second son named John. During the 1880s Walter and John both worked at the bakery, learning the ropes and taking up the traditions for a new generation.
1890
After 20 years in the trade, Richard retired from the business and handed over leadership (as well as the secret family recipe) to his son Walter. Having bought the business, Walter then changed its name to Walter Holland’s.
1900
As success continued, the business needed more space to expand. At this point, the bakery moved to John Street in Haslingden, filling the entire neighbourhood with the smell of freshly home baked bread, pies and cakes.
1907
The taste of Walter Holland’s was undeniable, and word quickly spread beyond Haslingden to nearby villages. In order to keep up with growing demand, Walter bought a horse and cart to make daily deliveries and established a truly treasured Holland’s tradition – ‘The Pie Round’.
1927
As the orders poured in, Holland’s bought a delivery van and took to the roads – the first of many to come. Taking trays of freshly baked pies across the region, the van allowed even more people to enjoy the great taste of Walter Holland’s.
1929
On the 27th May 1929, Holland’s bought a disused cotton mill at Baxenden and replaced the looms with specially built ovens. This was to be our home for years to come, with the business still baking from the same site today.
1938
The Holland’s fleet reached 20 vans, making regular deliveries to customers and chip shops across the north and cementing our relationship with chippies for years to come. The cost of a pie was about “Thruppence Ha-penny” at this point. Can you guess how much that is now?
1939
During WWII, thanks to a wonderful workforce of women, Holland’s continued production with air raid shelters even set up in the bake house. Sadly, cake production was forced to come to an end at this point (due to rationing) but Holland’s continued to bake pies - much to the delight of our customers.
1945
As the war ended, the decision was made to sell Holland’s to R.Gummer Ltd., a provisions company based in London.
1949
Negotiations were finalised with R.Gummer Ltd. and brothers Frank and Harold Holland (who owned the company at the time) both retired. Harry Holland, however, remained Managing Director and the name Holland’s remained.
1950
With the wartime 25-mile restriction on deliveries finally lifted, Holland’s set up more pie delivery rounds throughout Lancashire. Pie-fect!
1956
In the wake of WWII, the Suez crisis made British access to fuel and oil very limited. To save on fuel consumption, whilst still delivering for our customers, Holland’s invested in smaller delivery vehicles. You know what they say…where there’s a wheel, there’s a way!
1963
This was the year that Holland’s stopped producing bread to focus on baking its most popular products, proper tasty pies and puddings.
1968
To reward its loyal and longstanding colleagues, Holland’s gave five employees an award for long service. In total, their combined service resulted in 192 years! What a stretch!
1972
The company continued to grow and was bought by Pork Farms in 1972. Pork Farms introduced the well-known foil containers you’ll see on pies today, replacing the tins previously used. It also brought in the first automated machines on a number of production lines. Combining new technology with Holland’s traditional recipes and years of experience, this saw the bakery embark on a new era.
1975
Working together with chip shops in the region, Holland’s launched a ‘key system’ to smooth out its van delivery service. This meant Holland’s drivers could deliver to chippies far earlier, before they even opened, putting pies in place for the lunchtime rush. Ow’s that fer service?
1981
The Holland’s frozen pie range was launched in 1981, allowing families to pick up their pies from grocers and supermarket chains for the very first time. Combining great value, taste and convenience, the frozen products were an instant hit with Holland’s fans everywhere.
1986
During this year, the famous Holland’s chimney landmark was dismantled brick-by-brick to make way for an exciting new pudding department.
1990
Holland’s new ‘Fresh Wrapped’ range appeared in the chilled cabinets of leading supermarkets, expanding the products available to supermarket shoppers looking for a satisfying snack or meal.
1995
GOAL! Holland’s pies were introduced at several famous football grounds, including West Bromwich Albion, giving footy fans warm and hearty match-side scran to enjoy. With this move, Holland’s started a long and proud partnership with the footballing community.
2001
Hollands celebrated 150 years of pie-tastic pie making! A momentous milestone that all our colleagues and customers enjoyed together.
2008
£1m was invested in a new fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles for Holland’s, making our distinctive green vans even kinder to the environment.
2009
During this very memorable year, Holland's introduced the Best Ever Pies & Puds Range. The New Best Ever recipes had even more of our famous fillings, improved ingredients and more chunks of meat, without compromising on the authentic, traditional and delicious Holland's taste. The first ever online Holland’s shop also launched this year, as we began delivering famous pies and puds anywhere in the UK mainland, next-day delivery directly to the customer. A ‘reet treat!
2010
Holland's was chosen as a Best of British Brands partner to Coronation Street, celebrating the show’s 50th birthday. To mark this achievement we launched a promotion, online and through chip shops, to encourage consumers to vote for their favourite Corrie themed pie. Right, who’s up for a hotpot?
2011
To celebrate 160 years of baking, we created every Holland’s fan’s dream - a giant pie. This was shared for all to see at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, as part of our very own exhibition.
2013
Holland’s and GUINNESS® joined forces to create a truly unique pie, pudding and pastry-topped pie range. Sold in supermarkets across the UK, and featuring the finest British ingredients, the products flew off the shelves and onto plates ready to be devoured.
2017
The Holland’s Hunger Busters campaign launched, promising to end lunchtime lows. Giving community groups, workmates and families the chance to win a brand-new fridge full of microwavable Holland’s goodies, the competition called for Brits to stop skipping lunch and opt for something quick, convenient and super tasty instead. This was then followed by our Vanoke campaign, supported by North West icon Justin Moorhouse and inspired by Carpool Karaoke. As part of this activity, Holland’s drivers toured the UK giving people a chance to sing for their suppers and win a year’s supply of Deep Fill pies, chippy teas and more!
2018
Holland’s set out on a comedic quest to find five Pie Factor judges that would sit on an exclusive Pie Panel and review new products. Working in partnership with Phoenix Nights star Justin Moorhouse for a second time, we received amazing entries from fans near and far as well as lots of headlines in the press. This year also saw the launch of a limited-edition Christmas Pie, the perfect savoury substitute for Santa!
2019
During 2019, we expanded our delicious vegetarian range with the launch of three new Holland’s flavours - Wyke Farms Mature Cheddar Cheese & Onion Pie, Vegetarian Mince & Gravy Pie and the Cheese & Veg Pie - giving vegetarians even more meat-free treats to enjoy within our range.
2020
During British Pie Week, offering a chance to celebrate all things pastry and tasty, Holland’s launched its first ever Pie Patrol experience. In partnership with Wyke Farms and Batchelors Peas, the UK’s No.1 mushy pea brand, we hit the streets of Manchester to give out thousands of free pie and pea dishes.
2021
Holland’s Pies celebrated its 170th anniversary and to mark the occasion, it gave pie lovers the chance to get in on a very special delivery… After setting up shop in 1851, Holland’s made Baxenden its home in 1929 – where it has baked the tasty pies and puds everyone knows and loves, ever since. As a token of appreciation for the village of 4,042, it’s offered everyone in Bash the chance to tuck into a dozen of its golden treats, complete with a portion of peas on the side courtesy of Batchelors. 170 lucky winners, one for every year Holland’s ovens have been baking, will get their hands on a selection.
Stay tuned for more updates in the months ahead!