Italian vegetables

Lancashire wholesaler Wellocks is exploring export opportunities to the Maldives as part of its international and UK growth plans.

The firm, which supplies fresh and dry ingredients to hotels and restaurants,said its long-term partnership with Yorkshire Bank has allowed it to expand from a £2 million business in 1998 to its expected 2014 turnover of £30m.

“We’re currently in the process of developing deliveries to other countries, which could be quite a big growth area for the future,” said owner James Wellock.

The news comes as Wellocks signed a deal to supply new restaurant Fera at Claridge's, where Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan is at the helm.

Operating from Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, Lancashire, the business also has a supply depot in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and a recently-opened hub in Motherwell in Scotland.