Cherrytree Bakery  production line

Source: Cherrytree Bakery

New contract wins with national retailers have prompted Burnley-based Cherrytree Bakery to increase its production capacity.

The business, which reported that it has doubled its turnover in the past three years, is introducing a new production line now and plans to launch a second line in the summer to meet its order book demands.

It is also putting on a new weekend shift and will be creating 50 jobs to help produce its muffins, traybakes and Chorley cakes for customers include leading supermarkets and coffee shops. The business currently employs more than 120 staff.

The jobs will cover all areas of production and packing from machine set up, machine operation, making, baking, quality-checking, and packing.

“We have enjoyed a number of years of successful growth and demand continues to be high which is why we need to introduce the new Friday to Monday shift,” explained Cherrytree Bakery HR manager Christine Quigley. “We’re looking for people who have the drive and energy to work for us and who want to achieve their potential.”

Cherrytree is holding an open day next week where potential candidates will be able to find out more about the roles on offer and take part in interviews with the bakery team.

“We work for some fantastic clients and there is career progression for those who want it,” added managing director Mark Beaumont.

Cherrytree Bakery was founded in 1984 by executive chair Gary Entwistle and expanded rapidly following the coffee shop boom.

In 2020 the business secured a loan to build back up after the coronavirus lockdown forced many of its customers to shut up shop. At the time, Cherrytree said the £250,000 of funding from Barclays through the government-backed loan scheme CBILS (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme) had helped to fund operational overheads during the Covid-19 crisis and would enable a fast return to normal trading as hospitality outlets reopened.