Thomas Bell founded a wholesale grocery firm near the Tyne quays and railway station in Newcastle in the 1880s. Among his top-selling brands were 'Bells Royal' baking powder and a self raising flour.

Following the death of Edward VII, it became illegal to use the Royal name. As a result, Bell decided to take the first couple of letters from the each of the two words of the brand name and turn them into the more catchy sounding 'Be-Ro'.

Raising expectations

In the early 1920s, plain flour was the flour most commonly used.

Self raising flour was considered a novelty - consumers bought plain flour direct from the miller and self raising flour was only sold into independent grocers.

In a bid to make self raising flour more popular among the general public, the company staged a series of exhibitions in the early 1920s where freshly baked scones, pastries and cakes were sold for a shilling to visitors.

These were so popular that people demanded that they had copies of the recipes so that they could bake the dishes at home.
 
Benevolent Be-Ro

As a result a free recipe book was produced and handed out at the exhibitions as well as door to door. The Be-Ro cookbook contained recipes to feed hungry families on a very low budget.

They soon became an essential part of a young woman’s education in running a home and feeding a family. Consequently, the cookbooks achieved their objective of making Be-Ro the best known flour in the North.

Book of generations

The first Be-Ro cookbook was produced in 1923 and contained a total of 19 pages. Traditionally, local women from the North were featured on the front cover and "Miss Be-Ro" became its trademark.

Forty editions later, the book has grown to 86 pages, and is arguably one of the best-selling cookery books ever with more than thirty eight million copies having been sold. The latest edition is packed with even more inspiring dishes together with a brand new "quick and easy" section which even the novice baker can follow.

NEW 41st edition Be-Ro Recipe Book, available August 2011 - 1st edition published in 1923!

In 1880, amongst the most popular products that Thomas Bell sold from his grocery business in the centre of Newcastle was Bells Royal Self-raising Flour, a novelty at the time. Following the death of Edward VII it became illegal to use the Royal name and so this popular baking flour was renamed Be-Ro. To show the nation the quality and variety of home-baking possible with Be-Ro plain and self-raising Flours, Thomas held a series of exhibitions where he sold freshly bakes products for a shilling to visitors. These were so popular that people demanded that they had copies of the recipes so that they could bake the dishes at home. In 1923the first Be-Ro book was published, it soon became an essential part of running a home and feeding a family. We are now celebrating our 41st edition with a selection of the most popular dishes and delicious new recipes for you to bakes, share and enjoy.

Books cost £2.50 incl. Postage and Packaging for UK addresses only

Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to Be-Ro Baking Recipe Book. No cash please
Send your payment, name and address to:
The Be-Ro kitchen, PO Box 100, Blackburn, Lancs, BB0 1GR

Allow 28 days for delivery - no responsibility can be taken for applications lost in the post

Offer available in the UK only

Be-Ro Today

In 1958 Rank-Hovis Ltd acquired the business, which then became part of the newly formed RHM in 1961.