Sheffield-made Henderson’s Relish, which has been around since 1885 and has fans including Arctic Monkeys and Sean Bean, insists its controversial move is to ‘help’ foreign customers
The makers of a famous Yorkshire sauce have been accused of ‘sacrilege’ after putting the word ‘Worcestershire’ on its label.
Henderson’s Relish, made in Sheffield to a secret family recipe since 1885, is the great rival to Lea and Perrins Worcester sauce. The ‘winning’ formula has long been the subject of fierce debate, particularly in South Yorkshire.
Comedian Tom Wrigglesworth, born and bred in Sheffield, once said of Henderson’s Relish that while outsiders think the condiment is the steel city’s answer to Worcestershire sauce, people in South Yorkshire think it is the answer to everything. Fans of ‘Hendo’s’, including the Arctic Monkeys, Rick Savage of Def Leppard and actor Sean Bean, insist the northern brand is far superior to its better-known rival. Now Henderson’s has caused outrage with a special bottle for sale overseas.
It removed the words “strong and northern” from its label, replacing it with the word its fans cannot abide: “Worcestershire.” Henderson says the word is used to help foreign customers understand the product.
But the new label was spotted by Henderson’s purist Bill Palmer, who couldn’t contain his outrage. Posting a picture of the offending bottle, Mr Palmer said “The years spent arguing that Henderson’s is nothing like Worcestershire Sauce, even an MP in the House of Commons was made to apologise for suggesting they were similar. Now Henderson’s are making out it is in fact similar to appeasing the foreign market.
“I’m just gobsmacked. If they can’t understand what STRONG AND NORTHERN is then there is no hope….. Shame on you Henderson’s Relish.”
It prompted an outpouring of anger online from Sheffield folk. Gina Wardle posted: “Disgusting, spent years explaining and convincing people to try this and now you put that label on.” Jane Wright commented: “Is it April Fool’s Day? Is this fake news? Never can I lower myself to even think this is true. I turn the other bottles around in supermarkets, and only buy in Sheffield ( I live in Hastings) I am strong, I am Northern and we cannot allow this!!”
Jenni Williams posted: “Nooooo! I hate Worcester (sic) sauce or however, they spell it! Please change it back or put on the label it’s like Worcester sauce.” Paul Dale warned: “Do not mess about with a unique heritage.” Mollie Allred added: “Henderson is Henderson, not related or similar to any other sauce,” while Simon Jackson posted: “Embarrassing, will never be able to defend against the naysayers again.”
A Henderson’s Relish spokesperson defended the move, saying: “In four international markets we reference Worcester or Worcestershire Sauce on the label. This happens when importers and distributors overseas don’t understand what Relish is, and so are unable to explain to their customers what the product is and how it should be used, so we have international labels.”
Made of water, sugar and spirit vinegar with a selection of spices and colouring, Henderson’s Relish is gluten-free, suitable for vegans and is approved by the Vegetarian Society, while Lea and Perrins’ ‘key ingredient’ is anchovies.
Nicknamed ‘Hendo’s’, the company was bought by Shaws of Huddersfield in 1910, who still supply Hendersons with vinegar. In 1940, Charles Hinksman formed the present company of Hendersons (Sheffield) Ltd., the control of which has remained with the family.
In 2014, Lewisham MP Jim Dowd misunderstood it as a copy of Lea and Perrins and described it as “parasitic packaging” in an attempt to pass off one sauce as another, during a parliamentary debate on the Intellectual Property Bill.
He had encountered the sauce at the Hare and Billet in Blackheath, London. Sheffield MPs Paul Blomfield and Nick Clegg defended the brand, and Dowd later toured Henderson’s factory in a peace-making move.
