Slattery Patissier & Chocolatiers has grown from a two-shop business in 1967 to an award-winning enterprise, employing 92 staff and still very much under family control.

Multi-award winning patissier and chocolatier Slattery was founded in 1967 by Bernard and Margaret Slattery.

Bernard started out baking fresh bread and cakes while working at a shipping company, later gaining formal qualifications in bread and flour confectionery and experience at local bakeries.

Bernard and Margaret wed in 1950 and, after having children John and Ann, opened their first bakery in Crumpsall, in 1967, and a small shop in Higher Broughton.

John helped out in the bakery after school and at weekends, before going on to gain his own formal bakery and confectionery qualifications.

The business grew in reputation and size, with the original shop replaced in 1979 by one in Prestwich, which remained open until the mid-1980s.

As the bakery flourished so did the family. John married Marilyn and had two daughters, while Ann and her husband Stephen had three children.

In 1991, Bernard and Margaret retired, with their children taking over the business. At this point, Ann and Steve took over the running of the Crumpsall bakery, while John opened a new site on Bury New Road, Whitefield. John’s passion for and expertise in confectionery meant this new branch of the business concentrated on producing handmade chocolates, gateaux and desserts, alongside birthday, wedding and celebration cakes. It quickly outgrew its premises and had to move up the road.

John’s daughters Kate and Laura joined the firm after gaining their qualifications and, with John safe in the knowledge that the business would continue with the next generation, he decided to expand again by taking on a derelict pub across the road. The new building was able to house a wedding cake show room, dining room and the Slattery School of Excellence – a training facility with courses and demonstrations for the trade and general public.

Ann and Steve’s children joined the firm after the expansion and, in 2012, the family reunited the two sides of the business, bringing the bakery and shop together at the modified Whitefield site, with an extensive building and refurbishment programme.

The business now employs 92 people, including eight family members and three extended family members. Two of the next generation are also keen to join when they are old enough. John says the family would be delighted if the fourth generation joins the business, but adds there’s no pressure!

Timeline:

1967 Bernard and Margaret Slattery open bakery in Crumpsall and shop in Higher Broughton

1979 A new shop is opened in Prestwich

1991 Bernard and Margaret retire and the business is taken on by their children Ann and John, who adds a confectionery branch in Whitefield

2004 Whitefield store moves to a former pub (pictured above), where it remains to this day

2009 John wins Lifetime Achievement award at the Baking Industry Awards

2012 The two sides of the business unite, and works begin to extend the Whitefield premises

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