The directors of Warrens Bakery hope plans to grow the company’s St Just production site will enable them to extend the confectionery side of the business.

The bakery recently renovated its current site within St Just, where it was established in 1860. It has since become a county-wide chain.

The site currently employs 123 people, with 50% living in the local area and the remainder from Penzance or other nearby locations, but it is anticipated the new plans will create more jobs.

Jason Jobling, Warrens’ director, said: “The plans are key for our business. Over recent years our business has gone through a bit of a torrid time, and we’ve changed it recently over the past couple of years and started to develop it to grow it back again.”

He added: “If we don’t get this, it could put us backwards – which we really don’t want to do.”

Plans to extend the current site on Boswedden Road will cost around £700,000, which is to be largely financed through grant funding. This will include an extension to the existing confectionery production unit, as well as staff facilities.

Unveiled at a town council meeting last week, the plans were greeted with strong approval by St Just Town Council.

Town councillor Neil McFadden described the plans as “one of the best things that has happened to this area in years”.

Traffic and parking concerns

However, some residents are concerned the plans could add to the town’s traffic, parking issues and noise pollution.

St Just resident Moira Wilson said: “Some [employees] already park on the pavement at times. By reducing the space for parking available to workers the parking problems will be increased.”

Jobling responded: “It is intended to encourage a cycle-to-work scheme and additional covered cycle racks are included in the application.” He added that additional flour deliveries were only expected to increase from once every 14 days to once every 12 days.

Last week, Warrrens Bakery won the Open Savoury category at the World Pasty Championships.