A FRUIT and vegetable supplier which set up in Bolton last November has won a contract to supply British Home Stores.

Coopers Produce, which operates from offices in The Valley, has been awarded the multi-million pound contract to supply all 131 BHS in-store restaurants and 45 "to-go" sandwich bars with fresh produce, including, salads and fresh fruits.

Sarah Cooper, a partner at Coopers Produce said: "British Home Stores is giant name on the High Street and it is a coup for us to win such a prestigious contract.

"As a relatively small team at Coopers, we can be passionate and take a hands-on approach."

Starting this month, Coopers will deliver fresh produce from across the country to the BHS central distribution centre in Atherstone, Warwickshire.

BHS will then deliver to its stores around the UK on a daily basis. The Atherstone centre is "stockless" and no produce is stored but goes out on arrival.

Karen Watson, of Food Services at BHS said: "Our food service team is relatively small, so we need to work with suppliers that are robust enough to support our supply chain and provide the highest quality produce.

"After visiting the Coopers Produce distribution centre and warehouse, we were very impressed with the overall package; in particular the impeccable quality of the produce.

"The experienced team at Coopers has taken the time to truly understand our business, what our customers want and, in turn, become a strategic partner."

The company was formed last November by Ms Cooper and co-directors David Simmons and Tony McDonald.

In February, it announced a £12 million contract with nationwide food supplier Oliver Kay to source and deliver produce to Kay's Bolton warehouse at The Valley.