Curry marinade and sauce maker Arthendas has set a target of supplying 1,000 independent retailers by the end of this year as it looks to build on rapid growth.

The supplier, based in the Lanarkshire town of Wishaw, currently supplies more than 200 stores, mainly in Scotland, as well as butchers, delis and fishmongers.

Its most popular line is its Tikka Marinade, which comes in 150g jars and is available in boxes of 12. It also makes a range of curry sauces in varying strengths, as well as a Pakora Mix.

“We’re hoping to have about 1,000 retailers by the end of this year,” said cofounder Arthur Littlejohn. “One jar covers four large chicken breasts, so people are saving a fortune. If someone buys one jar with a packet of rice and some chicken, you can feed a family of four for less than buying an Indian takeaway for one.”

Arthur and his wife Brenda started the business after an unsatisfactory takeaway during lockdown. “I thought, ‘I can do better than that’,” said Arthur.

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After coming up with a marinade recipe, they shared it on Facebook where a friend offered to buy it, and the business has grown from there. It currently has 7,800 followers on Facebook.

Arthendas recommends pricing the marinade between £3.99 to £4.45 and the curry sauces from £2.99 to £3.20, although retailers are free to set their own prices. The products can be stored ambient or chilled with a shelf-life of up to two years.

Lisa Bell, manager of Feenans Keystore in Lanark, says she orders 12 cases a month. “We were the first stockist in Lanark two years ago, and they still sell like hotcakes,” she said.

Although most of the retailers stocking Arthendas’ products are in Scotland and northern England, Arthur says there is no geographical limit to its ambitions, having recently been approached by Glasgow-based wholesalers.

“We deliver directly with a chilled van, although we did send one delivery to Jersey with a courier because of the distance,” he said. “We’ll go anywhere, even if it means opening up a new depot down south.”

Arthur and Brenda are hoping to expand the business to offer ready meals.

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