Warrens Bakery recieves £1.6m growth capital funding
Warrens Bakery, the world’s oldest pasty maker and the oldest commercial bakery in Cornwall, has received £1.6 million funding from Santander’s Breakthrough Programme to rebrand and expand its retail activities in the West Country and beyond.
Established in 1860, the award-winning business is now the region’s largest and best known bakery chain, manufacturing and supplying pasties, savouries, artisan breads, cakes, scones and sweet bakery products. It also supplies major retailers and wholesalers, both in the UK and overseas, through its expanding trade division, ‘Simply Cornish’.
Warrens Bakery has two major production units in St. Just, Cornwall and Plymouth, Devon. The bakery also operates 50 retail outlets across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, employing approximately 480 people. Mark Sullivan, Chairman of Warrens Bakery, plans to use the funding to support the continued refurbishment and rebranding of existing outlets and expand the business with the development of new stores.
The Growth Capital Facility is part of Santander’s Breakthrough programme, which aims to support fast growth small businesses, to help them fulfil their potential. As well as funding, Breakthrough offers companies access to trade missions, business master classes, networking events and support in areas such as finance and marketing.
Mark Sullivan, chairman of Warrens Bakery said: “The investment and strong personal support and involvement from Santander will help us to complete the next phase of growth, as we develop the brand and product range through our own stores, as well as with wholesale and retail customers.”
Darren Hart, head of growth capital at Santander UK, said: “As the world’s oldest producer of Cornish Pasties, Warrens Bakery has an enviable legacy and reputation for quality products. The business has experienced significant growth in recent years and we are confident that Warrens will be able to use the additional funding to expand its retail operations in Cornwall and beyond.”
