Welsh business The Village Bakery has submitted a planning application for a new baking academy.

If granted, the academy will be located in a four-storey, 26,000sq ft building next to the family firm’s two bakeries on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.

The scheme also includes plans for an office and innovation centre.

In a statement, the bakery said the development would be an important building block for future expansion.

Christien Jones, director, said: "These are exciting times for us at the Village Bakery and I was grateful to have the opportunity to share our plans for the baking academy and innovation centre with Mr Skates. Training and innovation have been an important part of our success and most of our managers and supervisors have come up through the ranks after starting as apprentices.”

Ken Skates, assembly member for Clwyd South, said: “The Village Bakery is a superb, responsible employer that invests in innovation and employees and I am very excited about the firm’s plans for the coming years.”

The business was recently recognised at the first St David Awards, held in Cardiff. Robin Jones, managing director, received the Enterprise award, given in recognition of “remarkable success in business”.