Henderson's Relish, Sheffield's favourite sauce, and its much-loved old factory

Ask anyone from Sheffield what goes on a pie, and there is a good chance the answer will be Henderson's Relish. Known affectionately across the city as "Hendo's", the spicy table sauce has been made in Sheffield since 1885 and is still blended there to a secret recipe by a family business.

Its story began with Henry Henderson, who trained as a miller and then as a druggist before he started manufacturing sauce at 35 Broad Lane. In 1910 the company was bought by Shaws of Huddersfield, and in 1940 general manager Charles Hinksman bought it from Shaws and formed Hendersons (Sheffield) Ltd, which remained in the control of his family.

The relish is often compared with Worcestershire sauce, but local fans will happily tell you it is something quite different. It contains no anchovies, and its flavour comes from a blend that the company describes as tamarinds, cayenne peppers, vinegar, garlic and cloves. Henderson's suggests splashing it on pies, stews, chips and cheese on toast, or stirring it into gravies, marinades and even a Bloody Mary. Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys is quoted on the company's website saying it is "like Worcester sauce, but one million times better".

For more than a century, Hendo's was made within half a mile of the spot where the first bottle was filled, until production moved to a new factory at Sheffield Parkway Business Park in 2013. The old factory on Leavygreave Road, opposite the former Jessop Hospital for Women and next to the University of Sheffield tram stop, remains a much-loved landmark.

The building became part of the University of Sheffield's estate in 2015. Preservation work included an entirely new roof and a rebuild of half the structure using the original bricks, and specialist boxes were added for nesting swifts. The University has now received permission for a change of use, and work is underway to bring the building back to life, with the ground floor becoming a flexible space for events and changing heritage displays, including the story of Henderson's Relish. It is currently due to open in autumn 2026, subject to the progress of works.

Henderson's also sells online and delivers around the world, so homesick Sheffielders need never go without. Recipes, stockists and the full story are on the Henderson's website.