Family-run bakery chain Cooplands rolls out food package delivery service to support customers

The bakery chain has rolled out a delivery service.

The 135-year old business operates a network of 172 bakery shops and cafes across the North.

Around two thirds of these shops have remained open during the national lockdown, to support local communities.

A spokesman said: " To ensure local residents can receive food items – including essential items not typically stocked by Cooplands – the business is now distributing food packages to customers within 10-15 miles of its three main production sites in Durham, Hull and Scarborough.

"The business has been able to pivot its operations to serve community need with the full support of Lloyds Bank after it secured a flexible funding facility from the lender. The business has also increased bread production at its three main production facilities to meet demand."

Belinda Youngs, chief executive at Cooplands, said: “We have a long history as a community-focused business, bringing local produce and baked goods to families across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North East.

"Our ambition is to quite literally put bread and other staples on the table during these challenging times and it’s only possible for us to react to changing market conditions as quickly as we have with confidence in the support of our bank.

“The team at Lloyds Bank has been exceptionally fleet-footed in putting the conditions in place for our cashflow to remain in good health. In addition, while we have regrettably had to furlough some employees associated with our cafes, mobile food vans and city centre shops that don’t serve residential communities, the new funding will ultimately preserve those jobs in the long-term.”

Hannah Douglass, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “We remain committed to being by the side of businesses, especially during this challenging and unprecedented period. As such, we’re working closely with government to provide the short and long-term funding needed by businesses both large and small. This includes setting aside £2bn of arrangement fee-free finance to help firms affected by COVID-19.”