Son hails 'inspirational' parents who founded firm

Bernard and Joan O’Malley were married for 65 years

The son of a couple who set up a multimillion-pound grocery business from their family home has paid tribute to his "inspirational" parents.

Bernard and Joan O’Malley, from Southport, founded what is now Nationwide Produce PLC, which has its headquarters on Lord Street in the Merseyside town, almost half a century ago.

The couple died within days of each other last month, both at the age of 88.

Their son Tim O’Malley, group managing director of the family firm, which is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, said he will miss his father's "boundless enthusiasm for the business" but above all "his pearls of wisdom".

Nationwide Produce is now one of the UK's largest produce companies, operating across four countries, boasting a £186m turnover and employing 300 staff.

Bernard O’Malley started his business in a small room in the family home back in 1975

The O'Malleys, who were married for 65 years, were hugely supportive of a wide range of community projects in the Southport area, their son said.

The firm is a leading partner with the FareShare charity which fights hunger poverty and tackles food waste, and it also supports events such as the Southport Flower Show.

Mr O'Malley, 57, who is a trustee of FareShare, said the company began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co.

"The 'Co' was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books," he said.

"The office was a small room in a small three bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running around – three of them now in the business.

"Myself, Patrick and Anthony."

The firm, previously known as Bernard O'Malley and Co, has supported a range of community projects

He said they still have the first set of accounts.

"The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit," he said.

"This last financial year, Nationwide turned over £186m from nine offices, depots, and pack-houses in four countries, employing 300 staff.

"My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?’

"He loved the fruit and veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum."

He said: "I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom."

In their 65 years of marriage, he said they had "hardly spent a night apart" before his mother's death on 11 October. His father died on the day of her funeral on 30 October.

"They’re back together now," Mr O'Malley added.