Bross Bagels hand crafts more than 2,000 bagels a day in their Portobello bakery

Source: Bross Bagels

Scottish bagel brand Bross has launched a second crowdfunding campaign as it gears up for expansion.

Founder Larah Bross has set out to raise £150,000 of funds in the next four weeks, which she believes will allow the independent, family-owned brand of delis and bagel shops to continue to grow.

In order to reach a wider audience, the enterprise plans to invest in resources that will help to increase production of its handcrafted, traditional Montreal bagels, as well as its collection of traditional Jewish breads and bakes. The funds raised will be devoted to the growth of the brand’s wholesale business, supplying retailers, restaurants, cafés and homes across the UK.

Bross said it will continue to work with and support other local Scottish businesses including local flour brand Carr’s in Fife, who provide the bakery team with almost 500 kilos of flour every week.

The new campaign will invite individual investments of £1,000 each. Those investing the amount will receive £100 of Bross Bagels vouchers every year for four years, with the company aiming to return the investment in full after four years.

Investors will also get the chance to join a behind-the-scenes Bross Bakery tour and witness bagel baking to learn about the traditional handcraft process as well as taste some of Bross’ products. In addition, investors will be sent VIP invites to special events and experiences throughout the year.

Bross Bagels already raised £125,000 in its first crowdfunding campaign in October 2020. The funds allowed the enterprise to officially open the Bross Bakery in Portobello in May 2021. The bakery now produces more than 2,000 bagels a day, delivered to Bross’ four shops in Edinburgh, a new pop-up in Brighton’s Shelter Hall Food Market, as well as a collective of restaurants, cafés and retailers from Tiree and Inverness to as far south as London and Brighton.

“Our original Shareholers put Bross Bagels on the map by helping us build our bakery – now we have to reach all four corners of it,” said Larah Bross.