January
l The UK delivered price of wheat hits £229 per tonne.
l The overall number of new outlets opened by companies in British Baker’s BB75 list of the top bakery retailers increases by 6.9% on 2010, with Greggs remaining the largest player in the market.
l Bakers welcome a decision by the government to ditch the prescribed sizes of unwrapped loaves.
l Bakers are urged to buy British after the dioxin egg scare, which forces bakery products off the shelves.
l The UK team at the Louis Lesaffre Cup in France is named a ’contender’ team for the 2012 Bakery World Cup.
l Sainsbury’s launches its Fresh Kitchen concept on the high street.
l A newly published survey shows the price of bread actually fell in the UK in 2010, despite rising input costs.
February
l Tesco launches its first bakery apprenticeship scheme.
l Millers Rank Hovis and ADM increase the price of their flour as the price of wheat creeps ever higher.
l The UK team wins the Production Award in the Sigep Bread Cup, which takes place in Rimini, Italy.
l Ginsters launches its multi-million-pound ’man plea’ promotional campaign.
l Cornish Pasties gain Protected Geographical Indication under EU law.
l Short sugar stocks force suppliers to up the price.
l United Biscuits announces plans to cut around 85 jobs at its McVitie’s factory in Glasgow.
l Clydesdale Bakery in Port Glasgow closes its doors after 56 years in business.
l Sandwich bar Simply Eat announces plans to open 100 outlets across the UK.
March
l Premier Foods announces it will close its Hovis distribution centre in Chandler’s Ford, Hants, after a reduction in volumes of supermarket own-brand bread.
l New Britain Oils unveils plans for a fully segregated palm oil plant in the UK.
l Pork Farms rebrands to reflect its heritage.
l Scotbake announces growth plans, following a multi-million-pound cash injection.
l AMT Coffee plans to expand its coffee sites following a £1m deal to raise finance with Close Leasing.
l Lancashire-based Taylors the Bakers is saved from administration for the second time in less than a year.
l Warburtons names Amy Cooke as its Young Baker of the Year.
l Ginsters opens its first retail outlet in Manchester.
April
l Scarborough-based Woodhead Bakery goes into administration after being hit by inflation and rising wheat prices. Nearly all the shops and the bakery are promptly saved in two separate deals with Cooplands & Sons (Scarborough) and Bakery Products.
l It is revealed that Fiona Cairns and McVitie’s Cake Company will make the cakes for the much-anticipated Royal Wedding.
l Dawn Foods announces its intentions to acquire Unifine Food & Bake Ingredients.
l The Real Bread Campaign reopens the debate as to what consitutes ’freshly’ baked bread with the launch of its latest drive, which puts bake-off breads under the spotlight.
l The EC tables measures to ease sugar supplies.
l Pidy announces it is to start selling its pastry products via Amazon.
May
l The organic bakery sector sees a further fall in sales, as rising commodities prices and low consumer confidence take their toll.
l Bristol piemaker Pieminister reveals plans to move its factory to South Wales.
l BB’s Coffee and Muffins unveils its first rebranded store in Watford’s Harlequin Shopping Centre, with plans to roll out the new look to its 70-plus outlets.
l More independent bakers than ever take part in National Doughnut Week, which raises money for charity The Children’s Trust.
l Risk Capital acquires "a large stake" in north London artisan bakery Breads Ltd, with plans to grow its wholesale and retail business.
l Gluten-free bread brand Genius announces it is to launch its products in the US with a new distribution deal.
June
l The warm weather puts further pressure on wheat prices, despite Russia lifting its export ban.
l Bakers air their views on how to revamp the high-street cheaper parking, lower rents and greater council powers as the government announces TV retail-guru Mary Portas is to lead a comprehensive review of the high street.
l Leicestershire bakers are praised by their local council’s Trading Standards team for reducing the amount of salt in their bread.
l Burton’s Foods confirms more than 200 jobs will go at its Moreton plant following the announcement the biscuit site will be shut.
l German Pretzel company Ditsch announces plans to extend its number of UK outlets to 50 in the next five years
l Coombs Hampshires goes into liquidation, resulting in around 120 job losses.
July
l Sayers the Bakers is put up for sale, but says it believes there is huge potential for its Poundbakery outlets to be rolled out nationwide.
l Premier Foods reveals its strategy for growth, with its Hovis and Mr Kipling brands to receive multi-million-pound investment over the next few years, but also reveals it will close its Hovis HQ in a streamlining move.
l Lantmännen Unibake opens a new 8,000sq m site in Bedford, dedicated to Danish pastry production.
l Border Biscuits announces a £2.5m investment in new production facilities and a packaging redesign, with hopes to boost sales by 50%.
l Bakery colleges report an increasing number of students signing up to bakery courses.
l Motorway service station group Roadchef says it will trial Pasty Presto outlets with two sites piloting the concept.
August
l Rioting in English cities causes damage to bakeries, including Greggs, Coughlans and Patisserie Valerie.
l Lidl reveals plans to roll out in-store bakeries across its stores in the UK and Ireland.
l Jennifer Buls at Absolute Treats is named National Cupcake Champion for her dairy-free lime and coconut creation.
l Greggs trials bake-at-home packs of sausage rolls in Iceland stores, and hints at plans to expand overseas.
l Early harvest reports suggest quality is looking promising.
l Mr Kipling joins the ambientdesserts market with the launch of Mr Kipling Puddings.
l Quiznos reveals it still seeking a master franchisee.
l Bagel Nash receives the backing of YFM Equity Partners for a managemnt buy-in.
September
l Robert Ditty is named Baker of the Year, among many other winners at the 24th Baking Industry Awards.
l The industry hits back at latest Consensus Action on Salt and Health report, which claims many breads contain high levels of salt.
l Marks & Spencer reveals it will open new-look in-store bakeries in 16 stores.
l The Bakehouse revamps to become Flour & Bean.
l The Bakers, Food & Allied Workers Union launches a campaign calling for maximum temperature limits in bakeries.
l Warburtons confirms that 170 jobs could be lost as it consults on plans to close its Pennine Bakery near Oldham.
l National Cupcake Week proves the biggest and best yet.
October
l National Craft Bakers’ Week sees huge participation once again with Dame Kelly Holmes lending her support to the event.
l International bakery firm Aryzta aims to build its presence in UK supermarkets following the acquisition of speciality breads manufacturer Honeytop.
l Greggs opens a value coffee-shop concept called Greggs Moment.
l Krispy Kreme reveals plans to grow in the north east and Scotland following a £25m management buy-out.
l Warburtons reveals it has started selling its bread in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, in Tesco stores.
l Allied Bakeries reveals it plans to close its Gateshead bakery, putting over 100 jobs at risk.
November
l Premier announces Iwan Williams as the boss of its new bakery division.
l Morrisons launches a revamped bread range, with a new ’Baked by us’ brand.
l The UK’s largest bagel chain, Bagel Factory, is put on the market.
l Craft chain Wenzel’s spends £1m on a revamp of its 20 stores.
l Greggs reveals additional plans for new-format stores this time its take on the local craft baker.
l Cake-making start-up businesses experience huge growth, up 54% compared to last year.
l Marks & Spencer launches its first standalone ’Food on the Move’ outlet.
l New York Bakery Co secures £11.5m from its parent company to grow its bagel business.
December
l Bakery companies look set to benefit from a £1.7m government funding scheme to improve food sector skills.
l New chilled pastry company Bakeaway opens its doors in Corby, Northamptonshire.
l West Midlands chain Cooks the Bakery falls into administration.
l Unifine Food & Bake Ingredients (UK) reveals plans to target the retail sector.
l Premier Foods announces it has sold its Brookes Avana business to 2 Sisters for £30m.
l Bakels announces it has acquired Swedish bakery ingredients supplier Aromatic.
l Mary Portas’ new report on the high street suggests market stalls are the way forward.
l Brook Foods launches a new bakery school to teach amateurs and professionals how to set up a bakery business.
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