Tyrrells Ends Production of Iconic Vegetable Crisps After More Than Two Decades
Premium snack manufacturer Tyrrells has made the difficult decision to permanently discontinue its vegetable crisps range, removing the beloved product from store shelves after an impressive 23-year run. The announcement marks the end of an era for a snack that became a cupboard staple for many health-conscious consumers across the United Kingdom.
Factory Closure and Market Pressures
Parent company KP Snacks confirmed the discontinuation comes alongside the planned closure of the Uttoxeter factory in Staffordshire where the vegetable crisps have been produced for years. Company representatives cited "sustained decline in demand" combined with "the loss of key export volumes" as primary factors driving this significant business decision.
KP Snacks originally acquired the hand-cooked crisp brand Tyrrells from The Hershey Company back in 2018, bringing the premium snack label under new ownership. Despite this transition, ongoing market pressures have forced the brand to scale back one of its most recognisable and distinctive product lines.
A Premium Product's Journey
First introduced to consumers in 2003, Tyrrells vegetable crisps quickly established themselves as a premium offering in the snack aisle. The product featured hand-cooked, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly root vegetable mixes seasoned primarily with sea salt. The most popular variety combined parsnip, beetroot, and carrot flavours in a distinctive medley that appealed to health-conscious snackers.
Tyrrells was originally founded by Herefordshire potato farmer William Chase in 2002, with the brand quickly earning recognition for both its exceptional taste and quality ingredients. The company has consistently performed well at prestigious food awards, particularly at the Great Taste Awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food.
Award-Winning Legacy
With an impressive collection of over 69 gold awards, Tyrrells has secured more wins than any other premium crisp brand in the competitive snack market. The brand's signature Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar crisps alone have claimed eight gold medals over a remarkable 14-year period, demonstrating consistent quality and consumer appeal.
Following the announcement about the vegetable crisps discontinuation, a Tyrrells spokesperson sought to reassure customers about the brand's remaining offerings. They emphasised that "there are no planned changes to its other potato crisp ranges" and confirmed that existing lines are "not affected and continue to perform strongly."
Workforce Uncertainty and Consumer Reactions
Despite these assurances about other products, the factory closure creates significant uncertainty for workers currently employed at the Uttoxeter facility. The company has acknowledged this challenging situation, stating: "While no final decisions have been made, we appreciate this is an uncertain time for our colleagues at Uttoxeter and we are supporting them throughout the consultation process."
Company representatives added that should the proposal progress, they will "explore any ways to reduce or avoid redundancies where possible," though specific plans remain undetermined.
On social media platforms and consumer forums, many have speculated that the premium pricing of Tyrrells vegetable crisps contributed to declining demand. At £2.75 for a 125g bag, the product sits at the higher end of the vegetable crisp market. By comparison, Marks & Spencer's own brand vegetable crisps retail at £1.85 for a 100g bag, while Tesco Finest Root Vegetable with Sea Salt crisps cost £2.40 for 125g.
Consumer Sentiment and Market Alternatives
Following the announcement, fans expressed mixed emotions across various social media platforms. Some lamented the loss of a favourite snack, while others acknowledged the availability of more affordable alternatives. One consumer commented: "I absolutely love the vegetable crisps but they keep getting more expensive and seem to be increasingly full of beetroot and grease instead of the parsnip crisps that I actually want."
Another social media user observed: "The supermarket ones are cheaper and the same quality so I don't feel like it's a huge loss really." This sentiment reflects broader market trends where consumers increasingly compare premium branded products with retailer own-brand alternatives that offer similar quality at lower price points.
Some enthusiasts expressed specific preferences about the vegetable mix, with one Reddit user sharing: "I wish they would just do a bag of beetroot crisps, I stopped buying the veg crisps because they were 90% parsnips and I found them too hard for my liking."
As Tyrrells vegetable crisps disappear from shelves after more than two decades, consumers now face the task of finding suitable alternatives. The product's discontinuation represents a significant shift in the premium snack landscape and highlights the ongoing challenges facing specialty food manufacturers in a competitive retail environment.
