Just Desserts is to extend its West Yorkshire bakery as part of a £150,000 expansion project.

The scheme includes consultation to future-proof the Shipley bakery and building works, plus new bakery equipment and a larger freezer to increase storage capacity.

Due to complete in mid-January 2020, the extended bakery will also create new roles for the business in operations and warehousing.

Having acquired another unit on Station Road, Just Desserts plans to transform the site with new offices and staff facilities, demolishing the existing offices and staffroom to extend the bakery footprint and freezer space by more than 60%.

The works will also include a mezzanine floor to house a meeting room.

“We are excited to be able to support our five-year growth strategy to deliver a future-proofed bakery, as well as look after the health and wellbeing of our growing team with new staff facilities,” said Just Desserts managing director James O’Dwyer.

James and his wife Carol founded Just Desserts on a £40-a-week enterprise allowance more than 30 years ago. The business now produces more than 100 different lines, employs around 30 staff and operates a fleet of delivery vans serving foodservice and hospitality customers across the north of England and the Midlands.

O’Dwyer added that having a larger layout and working space would improve efficiency, productivity, workflow and capacity.

“We are already working towards developing new vegan and low-sugar products to support our strategy to target new and existing markets and the new bakery will help us realise our ambitions,” continued O’Dwyer.

Huddersfield-based building company Bray Building Services has this week started work on the expansion at the Shipley bakery.

“It’s fantastic to be working alongside Just Desserts on this construction project. It shows there is still strength in the manufacturing industry in the local area,” said Bray Building Services managing director Daniel Bray. “Like James, the owner, we have come from small beginnings and this is why I believe the relationship will work well.

“The team have been promised a few extra cakes at break time, which we are especially looking forward to.”