Bakkavor, the fresh prepared food manufacturer, plans to create 470 new roles in its deli and desserts businesses.

An additional 370 new employees will join the 1,700-strong workforce at Bakkavor Desserts Newark, which the company said is “Europe’s largest producer of fresh cream cakes”.

Bakkavor said the popularity of desserts such as fresh choux buns and trifles means more staff are required, to meet demand. The company also plans to introduce a new night shift and extend current day shifts at its Newark Industrial Estate site.

The new roles created include manufacturing technicians, food handlers, section leaders and section managers.

The Newark site produces 190m packs of dessert a year, which includes éclairs, doughnuts, tarts, slices, trifles and profiteroles.

In April Bakkavor increased annual pallet demand by 25%, by securing a new deal with Pooling Partners.