Fitch Lovell

Fitch Lovell was a British food manufacturing, transportation, distribution and retail company that started life in 1784, and was finally merged into Booker Group in 1991 after they had purchased it in 1990 for £279.7 million.

Early History

Fitch Lovell started out in 1784, when James Fitch (1762–1818) opened a cheesemaking business in Leadenhall, London near to St Katherine Cree church, which since 1965 has hosted the Fitch Gardens (paid for by Fitch Lovell).

During the 19th century Fitch & Son grew from being a cheesemaker to become a producer and provider of many food products, from cheese to bacon. In 1839 it had premises in 66 Bishopgate, 83 Leadenhall and 98 Union Street, London, while in 1846 it had further premises in 33 New Glocuester Street in Hoxton, 9 Coalville Terrace in Chelsea and 11 High Street, Newington Butts. It held several Royal Warrants, had expanded to provide livestock auctioning and by 1878 was providing dairy products nationwide.

Incorporation & Expansion