Family business Soothills Bakery has seen its best year of trading, following a major refurbishment.
The Hampshire craft bakery retail business’ two shops in Fareham and at Locks Heath Shopping Village have been redesigned and rebranded by specialist Dollar Rae.
Tony Jenkins, master baker and owner of Soothills, said: “We are a small family business and an investment in shop refits is quite a big thing for us.
“Our two shops were looking tired and needed doing. Plus, we were starting to feel the pressure of quite a lot of competition from the likes of Costa Coffee, Starbucks and, to a lesser extent, Greggs.”
The redevelopment included improvements to the layout, functionality, product display and presentation, lighting, and the queueing system. Since the transformation of the Fareham shop, East Street, Soothills has recorded its best-ever year’s trading.
A spokesperson for the business said: “Everything is moving far more quickly and it’s definitely busier. It’s word of mouth bringing in new people.”
She added: “Everything was looking particularly tired, so it was in need of doing.”
Employing a total of 45 staff, including 10 skilled bakers, both shops are managed by Tony’s daughter Angela Moyse. The traditional bakery is famed for the high standard and extensive range of product it offers, especially its Cornish pasties, Danish pastries, and lardy cakes.
Jenkins commented: “The design and image of your shop is very important, together with your product and its presentation, and the experience that’s created for the customers - is it a place they like to be?”
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