Employees at Grasmere Gingerbread in the Lake District have received a £1,000 cost-of-living bonus as the firm looks to support employees amidst a difficult economic climate.
The bonus, which was paid earlier this month, was given to the firm’s 19 full-time employees and four part-time staff on a pro-rata basis.
“As a fourth-generation family business, we value our team and believe that supporting them during difficult circumstances is part of our wider corporate social responsibility,” said co-director and third-generation owner of Grasmere Gingerbread, Andrew Hunter.
“Everyone knows how challenging it is to recruit staff at the moment, but retention is just as important. If our workforce knows they are valued – which we show through good pay and conditions and initiatives like the £1,000 cost of living bonus – then everyone wins as it helps to cement loyalty. I would much rather have a team of committed people who stay with us over the longer haul than a transient workforce.”
He added that year-on-year growth has been achieved despite having a “traditional, labour-intensive” production method which hasn’t changed since Grasmere Gingerbread was invented by Sarah Nelson in 1854. Nelson invented the ‘spicy-sweet cross between a biscuit and a cake’ to lift her own family out of poverty in the 19th century.
“Her sense of community and commitment to others informs how we run the business to this day,” Hunter said.
The business is also set to donate money from Christmas mail order sales to The Trussell Trust. In the run-up to Christmas, selected gift boxes bought by customers through the Grasmere Gingerbread website will trigger a £1 donation to the UK food bank charity.
In addition, a 50p donation will be made on all parcels mailed out during 1 to 23 December.
“Customers enjoying food bought from us over the festive period can know that their purchases have made a positive difference to the lives of other people,” Hunter added.
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