COOK launches in Scotland
9 November 2011
COOK, the established and award-winning frozen ready meals manufacturer and retailer, is to open its first premises in Scotland at 328 Morningside Road, Edinburgh.
The company has taken the retail unit next to I J Mellis cheesemonger, extending to 815 sq ft, on a ten-year lease at a rent of £21,000 per annum. Ryden acted on behalf of the landlord in the deal.
COOK is a £22m independent family business that has been trading since 1997 and now has a national network of more than 50 branded shops, an online delivery service and more than 300 concessions in farm shops and independents.
COOK’s founding principle was to use exactly the same techniques and ingredients that a good domestic cook would use at home, so everything looks and tastes homemade; perfect for those who don’t have the time or inclination to always cook themselves.
Today, nothing has changed and COOK continues to make its meals by hand at the COOK Kitchen in Sittingbourne, Kent. As proof of its handmade nature, the name of the individual chef who cooked each dish is printed on the packaging.
COOK will open on Friday 18 November and joins nearby retailers including Marks & Spencer and Boots, plus local tearooms, bakeries and gift shops.
Will Biggart, surveyor at Ryden, said: “Morningside is a prestigious secondary retailing location in Edinburgh and COOK will further enhance the complement of niche stores on offer in the area. Personally, I’m looking forward to visiting the store and sampling some of the delicious home-made food on offer.”
COOK franchisee, Trish Leckie, commented: “Morningside was always my desired location for COOK’s first Scottish shop. It was important to be positioned in a strong community surrounded by other independent retailers. Morningside Road has the advantage of a very busy thoroughfare of young mums, students, busy professionals and elderly residents who we look forward to welcoming into COOK over the months to come.”
