Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam, has responded to a London Labour MP who derided Sheffield’s famous Henderson’s Relish, which has been produced locally for more than 100 years, as an example of how successful brands can be copied and exploited.
During a debate on the Intellectual Property Bill the Labour MP for Lewisham West and Penge, Jim Dowd, described Henderson’s Relish as an ideal example of product-mimicking [1].
In his open letter to Jim Dowd MP, Nick Clegg MP said: –
“Henderson’s Relish has been made in Sheffield for over 100 years and is a much loved local institution. Its aroma and flavor are unique. It is used by thousands of Sheffielders and, as Henderson’s appeal grows, many more throughout the country and indeed around the globe.
“Apart from being a great product, Henderson’s are also a prime example of a local business that gives back to their community. Last year they donated 5p from the sale of every bottle to a local hospice as part of their ‘Great Pie and Peas Up’ appeal, which I was also delighted to take part in – not just because it involved eating pie and peas with a sprinkling of Henderson’s Relish. They raised a total of £2,000 for St Luke’s Hospice.
“Given the history behind Henderson’s Relish, I hope you can appreciate that Sheffielders are fiercely proud of it. We are confident it would win in any blind taste test, whether at a pub in Blackheath or anywhere else.”
The full letter is here:
Dear Jim Dowd MP,
I am writing to you as a Sheffield MP regarding your comments which cited Sheffield’s Henderson’s Relish as an example of how successful brands can be copied and exploited. I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth.
Henderson’s Relish has been made in Sheffield for over 100 years and is a much loved local institution. Its aroma and flavor are unique. It is used by thousands of Sheffielders and, as Henderson’s appeal grows, many more people throughout the country and indeed around the globe.
Apart from being a great product, Hendersons is also a prime example of a local business that gives back to their community. Last year they donated 5p from the sale of every bottle to a local hospice as part of their ‘Great Pie and Peas Up’ appeal, which I was also delighted to take part in – not just because it involved eating pie and peas with a sprinkling of Henderson’s Relish. They raised a total of £2,000 for St Luke’s Hospice.
Given the history behind Henderson’s Relish, I hope you can appreciate that Sheffielders are fiercely proud of it. We are confident it would win in any blind taste test, whether at a pub in Blackheath or anywhere else.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Clegg MP