The new owner of a 65-year-old bakery in Doncaster has secured £250,000 in funding to help with the business’ expansion.
Rhodes of Thorne, which operates two bakery, deli, and sandwich shops in Doncaster, has gained the funding via an enterprise loan from Finance for Enterprise, a Yorkshire-based provider which specialises in funding for SMEs.
The bakery was incorporated in 1960 and has been operated for the past 18 years by the previous owners Gail and Steven Jackson, who are now retiring. Over the years it has adapted from a simple bakery offering to include hot and cold sandwiches, as well as other sweet and savoury items.
It currently employs 15 staff across the two sites and these jobs will be safeguarded by the change of ownership.
The new owner, Zobeena Amin, was previously a teacher. Her plans for Rhodes of Thorne include developing additional markets and introducing new sweet and savoury products. She also intends to grow the wholesale side of the bakery business, improve ingredient buying power using existing suppliers, introduce a range of occasion cakes, and open additional stores.
“FFE have been really helpful and supportive throughout the loan application process, and I am now really excited about the prospect of owning my own business,” said Amin.
“There are many opportunities for Rhodes of Thorne to increase its brand awareness and customer base. I know from previous experience how much a website and using social media can positively impact sales and plan to use these digital marketing skills to deliver these improvements.”
Neil Wade, senior business lending manager from FFE, added: “Assisting entrepreneurs with ambitions to create jobs locally is a primary objective for FFE. With Zobeena’s enthusiasm we are sure her new venture will be a huge success and create further new jobs on the high street in Doncaster.”
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