Surrey-based Cavan Bakery is moving into a 15,000 sq ft purpose-built facility to meet growing demand for its artisan bread and treats.
Cavan currently has 13 bakery shops across Surrey and South London, and a café at Molesey Boat Club. The move into the new facility comes as the business is looking to open at least three new shops.
The new bakery at in Walton-on-Thames is three times the size of Cavan’s previous site and has greater capacity for storage and production.
Cavan, which employs around 180 people from the local area, said it sees investing in a contemporary production environment as essential for attracting and retaining talent.
The business has also invested in new machinery to help reduce running costs and become more efficient. This has included reducing the number of ovens it operates, by investing in larger, more efficient models. Cavan is also looking at electrifying its fleet of delivery vehicles and has recently invested in its first electric van.
The bakery produces bread, pastries, buns and cakes, alongside snacks such as sausage rolls and sandwiches. Most of the business’s speciality breads are sourdoughs, with the bakery producing 15 different breads daily.
In addition to its own retail outlets, the business supplies over 100 wholesale customers including local cafés, restaurants and farm shops, which account for around 15% of its total business.
“We’re really privileged that we’ve been able to grow at a strong and steady rate, particularly over the last decade as people have discovered the craft of skilled artisan bakers who provide quality and diverse goods,” said Cavan Bakery director Jeff Greenall.
“People are at the heart of our success. This includes our fabulous staff and our loyal customers. In return, we want to create the best products possible at an affordable cost. Our new bakery and shops will ensure that.”
The expansion into the new facility was supported by a £1.5m funding package from Lloyds Bank.
Lloyds relationship director Victoria Vawdrey described Cavan Bakery as an example of a business that puts its customers at its heart.
“Jeff and the team ensure that new products, as well as beloved staples, are produced with the love and care that customers appreciate in artisan producers.”
No comments yet