Frequently Asked Questions & Returns Policy

About Great Northern Spice Co.

How are Great Northern Spice Co. spice blends made?

At Great Northern Spice Co., we make our spice blends in small batches, carefully combining herbs, spices and seasonings to create bold, balanced flavours. Every jar is prepared, filled and labelled by us, Paul and Lotty, so we can take care over every batch. Our aim is to make it easy to bring exciting world flavours into your everyday cooking.

Where are Great Northern Spice Co. spice blends made?

Our spice blends are made by us, Paul and Lotty, in our purpose-built workshop at our home in Northwich, Cheshire. Having a dedicated workspace allows us to organise our ingredients and production processes with allergen separation in mind. We're a small, independent business, and everything is handled by us rather than mass-produced in a factory. If you have a food allergy or intolerance, please contact us before ordering so we can discuss the ingredients and relevant allergen information for your chosen products. We can even make a bespoke blend for you if you have an intolerance to a certain ingredient. Simply email us hello@greatnorthernspice.com

Who owns and runs Great Northern Spice Co.?

Great Northern Spice Co. is run by us, Paul and Lotty, a husband-and-wife team based in Northwich, Cheshire. We look after every part of the business, from developing and blending our seasonings to filling jars, labelling products, packing orders and meeting customers at markets and events. When you buy from us, you're supporting a small, independent British business.

What makes Great Northern Spice Co. different?

We're passionate about making exciting flavours accessible to everyone. Our range includes more than 40 small-batch seasonings, rubs and curry blends, alongside flavoured sea salts and infused olive oils. Each product is designed to help you create delicious meals at home without needing lots of individual herbs and spices. We are proudly sugar free, gluten free, and vegan friendly (you'd be surprised how many shop bought blends contain hidden ingredients that don't suit these dietary needs).

Sustainability and packaging

Are Great Northern Spice Co. products sustainable?

We're continually looking for ways to make Great Northern Spice Co. more sustainable. We use glass jars that can be recycled, along with paper labels, and we reuse suitable boxes and packaging materials when packing orders to help reduce waste. We're also exploring other ways to make our products, packaging and day-to-day operations more sustainable as our business grows. We know there's always more we can do, and we're committed to making improvements wherever we can.

Can I recycle or reuse my spice jars?

Yes! Our glass spice jars can be recycled in line with your local recycling guidance, and you may also be able to reuse them at home for storing herbs, spices and other ingredients. Please check your local recycling guidance for the best way to dispose of the jar and label.

Orders, delivery and returns

How long does delivery take?

We aim to dispatch orders within 3–5 business days, excluding weekends and public holidays. As we're a small, husband-and-wife team, this gives us time to prepare, pack and check each order carefully.

Orders are sent using Royal Mail Tracked 48. Once your parcel has been dispatched, delivery would typically be expected within around two working days, but this is not guaranteed and delays can occasionally occur. Please note that our 3–5 business day timeframe is our dispatch time, not the total delivery time from placing your order.

How much does delivery cost?

We offer Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery at the following rates:

Orders containing up to 10 jars: £3.99.
Orders containing more than 10 jars: £5.99, due to the additional weight.

You can also select free local collection at checkout if you'd prefer to collect your order directly from us in Northwich, Cheshire. Please follow any collection instructions provided with your order.

Can I collect my order from Great Northern Spice Co.?

Yes! If you're local to Northwich, Cheshire, you can select the free collection option at checkout instead of paying for delivery. This is a convenient option for local customers who would prefer to collect their spice blends, sea salts or olive oils directly from us. Please follow the collection instructions provided after placing your order.

What is your returns policy?

As our products are food items, we cannot generally accept returns of unwanted products. However, your satisfaction matters to us. If you're unhappy with your order or have a concern about the quality of any of our spice blends, sea salts or olive oils, please contact us at hello@greatnorthernspice.com with your order number, a photograph (if relevant) and details of the issue.

We'll look into the matter and work with you to find an appropriate resolution. Where applicable, your statutory consumer rights remain unaffected.

What if I'm not happy with my order?

We're a small business and genuinely want you to enjoy your Great Northern Spice Co. products. If something isn't right with your order, or you're disappointed with a product, please email hello@greatnorthernspice.com with your order number (if relevant) and a brief explanation of the problem.

We'll review your concern and do our best to put things right. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a refund or another suitable resolution.

Ingredients, allergens and dietary requirements

Where can I find ingredient and allergen information?

The full ingredient list for each product is available on its individual product page and printed on the product label. Allergens are highlighted in bold in the ingredient list, helping you identify relevant ingredients before purchasing.

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, please check the information for your chosen product carefully. If you need further clarification, contact us at hello@greatnorthernspice.com before placing your order.

Are Great Northern Spice Co. products gluten-free?

Our products are made using gluten-free recipes, and our current product information identifies our range as gluten-free. However, we have not been certified gluten-free by an external certification body.

If you're buying for someone with coeliac disease or a serious gluten-related condition, please review the ingredients and allergen information carefully and contact us before ordering if you have any questions. We recommend checking with the recipient before buying food as a gift where dietary requirements are important.

Are your spice blends suitable for vegans and vegetarians?

Our range includes vegan- and vegetarian-friendly products, and our current product information identifies our seasonings and rubs as vegan and vegetarian friendly. Please check the individual product page and ingredients for the product you wish to buy, particularly if you're shopping for someone with specific dietary requirements.

Do your spice blends contain artificial additives or preservatives?

No, NEVER. Our seasonings and rubs are made with a focus on flavourful ingredients and no additives or preservatives, artificial flavouring, fillers, gums, citric acids, palm oils, seed oils... or anything else you can't pronounce. Our blends contain only natural herbs and spices. For the most accurate information about a particular blend, please check its individual product page and full ingredient list.

Using our products

How many servings can I get from a jar of spice blend?

The number of servings depends on the product, the recipe and how much seasoning you like to use. As a general guide, our seasoning and rub jars can provide up to 16 servings, while our curry blends typically provide around 6–8 servings, depending on the recipe and how much sauce you make. For the recommended quantities and best results, check the instructions on the individual product page and explore our recipe collection.

Do you have recipes using Great Northern Spice Co. products?

Yes! We have a growing collection of recipes designed to help you get the most out of our seasonings, rubs, curry blends, flavoured sea salts and infused olive oils. Whether you're looking for a quick midweek meal, a fakeaway favourite or inspiration for something new, there's plenty to explore.

How do I know which spice blend to choose?

It depends on what you enjoy cooking! Our range includes seasonings for everyday favourites, barbecue rubs, curry blends and flavours inspired by cuisines from around the world. Product pages provide details to help you choose, including suggested uses and heat levels where applicable. If you're unsure where to start, explore our product range or browse our recipes for inspiration.

How should I store my spice blends?

For the best flavour and quality, store your spice blends in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Keep the lid tightly closed after use, and follow any best-before guidance on the jar or product label.