Express & Star

City catering company seeks expansion

A family-run catering company in Wolverhampton wants to expand its large existing operation even further by creating new offices.

Published
Middleton Food Products in Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton. PIC: Google Street View

Middleton Food Products Ltd, based in Willenhall Road, wants to create the two-storey office block in preparation for planned future expansions of the business.

The site where the new offices are set to be based currently houses a cash and carry, food production, packing and storage area.

Middleton Recycling was also previously situated on the site until a purpose built facility was created on the adjacent Noose Lane, which will allow for the expansion of the food business.

The food operation has grown considerably over the last 30 years and sees the company sending products to caterers across the country, including providing batter for award-winning fish and chip shops.

Bosses said the offices would be used to accommodate extra staff they expect to take on as the operation expands.

In their application to the City of Wolverhampton Council, managing director John Gwilt said: “Middleton moved onto the site in February 1988 with the relocation of the cash and carry business with three 7.5 tonne trucks and staff of about seven.

“They now employ 36 full-time staff and 12 part-time and operate with a fleet of nine 12 tonne trucks and seven 7.5 tonne trucks servicing the catering industry throughout the Midlands.

“Middleton Recycling moved onto the site a short time later and then Middleton Food Products Ltd, which was first registered in 1990 and formed to produce dry powder products for the catering industry.

“From a small operation, it now employs 97 permanent staff and between 25 to 40 agency staff distributing both nationally and internationally with customers of the likes of Ramsdens, Iceland Foods, Brake, Aldi and Wetherspoons.

“Five of the last eight shops that won Fish and Chips of the Year were users of Middleton branded products.

“Middleton Recycling has now moved off this site and into a purpose built factory to accommodate the expansion of Middleton Food Products Ltd.

“We therefore need to develop more office space to accommodate the extra staff we anticipate taking on.”