Empire Bespoke Foods Unveils New Lids Technology for Mrs Elswood.

Anyone planning to get their hands on the UK’s favourite gherkins, Mrs Elswood, will soon find them a whole lot easier to open thanks to the introduction of new lid technology by brand owner Empire Bespoke Foods.

The company is set to trial new EASY OPEN lids on some of its most popular Mrs Elswood lines, which will require only 50% of the force required to open traditional lids.

“From opening the lid of a jar to the final crunch of the last gherkin, we always aim to give Mrs Elswood consumers the best possible gherkin experience!” commented Matthew Moyes, Marketing Controller.

“Lids of course need to provide a tight seal not only to prevent leakage but also to keep the gherkins at their delicious crunchy best!” he added.  “You’ve buttered your baguette, loaded your fillings and need a gherkin to put the perfect punch in your lunch - the last thing you need is a jar that’s difficult to open!”

The new Mrs Elswood EASY OPEN lids, which will roll out across selected Mrs Elswood SKUs from late summer, comprise two main parts – a central, floating panel that is vacuum sealed to the jar, and an outer ring that acts as the opening and re-closing device.  The design significantly reduces the amount of torque required to open the jars, making it twice as easy to open as compared to standard twist-off lids.  The technology will ensure that the contents retain all of the freshness, flavour and crunch that Mrs Elswood, the UK's Number 1 gherkin brand, is famous for.

“We recognise that difficult to open jars can be a source of frustration across all categories that use traditional jar and lid technology, but with 37.7% of gherkin consumers being empty nesters or retirees*, it is one that will only increase when set against an ageing population,” said Moyes. 

From studies conducted by packaging technology specialist Eviosys, 90% of consumers said a lid that’s easier to open would influence their future purchase decisions.

“So we worked with Eviosys to bring the Mrs Elswood difference to life. This solution not only makes opening our pickles much easier but it enhances convenience and enriches the whole Mrs Elswood experience,” he added.

ends - July 2025

*Kantar, 2025

Notes to Editors

Empire Bespoke Foods is a leading UK importer, distributor and brand owner of speciality foods for the retail, wholesale, and foodservice sectors.  It is passionate about distributing specialist food products with authenticity and provenance from around the world. 

A partner of choice for many prestigious food & drink brands, it offers an unparalleled and diverse selection of products including traditional French lemonades, barbecue essentials and confectionery from the US, authentic Thai food and genuine German gingerbread, as well as the UK's Number 1 pickled cucumber brand, Mrs Elswood.  For more information on Empire Bespoke Foods, visit www.empirebespokefoods.com.

Issued on behalf of Empire Bespoke Foods.  For more information please contact: Sarah Wheeler or Vickie Rogerson at North PR: sarahwheeler@northpr.co.uk or vickie@northpr.co.uk