Nisa member Proudfoot Group has seen sales of its homemade ready meals range soar since launching it in its Newby store, near Scarborough, last November.

The North Yorkshire-based retailer created the Simply Cook range after gaining inspiration from a trip to Northern Ireland last year.

Proudfoot director Valerie Aston said sales had taken off, with customers making many repeat purchases. “We knew we wanted to do this range and had lots of ideas so we went along to Northern Ireland last autumn with other Nisa members to see what they were doing over there,” she added.

“We knew we could start it up quite easily here using our own meat and our own production area and were very keen to give it a go. We spent a lot of time creating recipes as well as designing the packaging and the Simply Cook label.”

The range, which comprises of five main courses and four vegetable side dishes with mains offered at two for £7 and sides at two for £3, is prepared and produced on site at the Newby store by in-store butcher Keith Wilson.

He said: “We think the meals look appetizing and because they are homemade products, not mass produced, customers know they are getting great quality food that comes with the personal touch.

“We are always looking for new ideas and we look to others to see what they are doing and ensure we are on trend and are offering what our customers want.”

In the long term the group is planning to expand the range and look at different options such as soups, sauces and freshly prepared vegetables, Valerie added.

Proudfoot Group has five stores in the North Yorkshire area.