n Cakes company Elisabeth the Chef has been acquired by Senoble, a European manufacturer of fresh dairy desserts. Senoble employs 2,300 people and has five production sites in France, one in Spain and one in Slovakia. Elisabeth the Chef employs 1,200 people at three production sites in the Midlands.

n Coffee and deli bar operator Coffee Republic has given fashion group Paris Group rights to develop the Coffee Republic Deli franchise rights in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

n The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Forum. It aims to focus on food safety, health and wellbeing, sustainability and competitiveness.

n Baker Warburtons’ Special Edition 400g Winter Loaf with cinnamon, sultanas and spices will be available in the run up to Christmas. It will retail at £1.17.

n The latest exhibitors to sign up for April’s Baking Industry Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC include Bakery Computing, Soabar and Papertech.

n Packaging equipment companies Multivac and Ishida have agreed a strategic cooperation on packing lines. Multivac will distribute Ishida equipment in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

n The trial of a bakery worker has started at Oxford Crown Court, following a fatal stabbing at Banbury’s Fine Lady Bakeries last November.

n Photos of the 20th annual Baking Industry Awards are on [http://www.bakeryawards.co.uk]. Password and username is: bakery_awards.