The Co-op is making space on its shelves for tasty treats made by two Elland firms.

Lottie Shaw’s bakery and sweets manufacturer Joseph Dobson & Sons Ltd are among scores of Yorkshire food and drink firms to get their products into Co-op stores under the retailer’s new local supplier initiative.

The Co-op has signed up more than 50 local manufacturers and micro producers to provide its stores across Yorkshire with 130 locally-produced lines, which also include eggs, ice cream; chutneys, pies, sausages and beer.

The retailer said it had worked closely with the suppliers to overcome the logistical issues which in the past have prevented local firms providing relatively small amounts of their quality products to stores in their vicinity.

The Co-op is piloting its local sourcing initiative in Yorkshire, but expects to roll it out to other parts of the country with the next 12 months.

David Smith, of Joseph Dobson & Son Ltd, with some of the Yorkshire Mixtures he is supplying to the Co-op

Kate Jones, head of local sourcing, said: “Our customers have told us they want to buy local products at their Co-op store and so we have responded by teaming up with more than 50 new Yorkshire suppliers.

“Products made in the vicinity of our stores are prized by customers who want to support locally produced regional food which often helps to define a specific area such as Yorkshire.

“Our unique local sourcing initiative has been designed to break down the barriers which have previously made it difficult for small companies to supply large national organisations.”

She said the aim was to “champion a better way of doing business” for customers and local communities, adding: “What better way for us to do this than to sell as many locally produced goods as possible.”

Charlotte Shaw, of Lottie Shaw’s bakery in Elland, said: “Lottie Shaw’s authentic Yorkshire bakery has, like the Co-operative, been in business for more than a hundred years and so we are delighted to join with them as a local food producer in this new campaign with our Treats to Go range.

Lottie Shaw, of Lottie Shaws bakery in Elland with some of the treats she is now supplying to the Co-op

“We firmly believe in artisan, traditional, wholesome products and look forward to working with the Co-op to showcase the very best of Yorkshire products.”

Federation of Small Businesses spokesman Simon Williams said: “Small businesses are at the heart of their communities. They provide jobs and bring economic life and prosperity to their local area.

“Keep Trade Local is a message the Federation of Small Businesses has been promoting for a long time. This investment by the Co-op in its small suppliers shows a true understanding and commitment to these values.

“In Yorkshire, we have a wide variety of regional products. We must do all we can to protect, support and encourage our local small businesses today and in the future.”

The first batch of local produce to feature in Co-op stores across the region also include Porcus Sausages, of Todmorden; Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream, of Bolton Abbey; Stobart’s pork pies from Bradford; Mercers chutney, of York, and Maxons Sweets, of Sheffield.