Business on the rise for independent bakeries across Yorkshire

While many of the traditional avenues for stocking up on baked goods have been brought to an abrupt halt, it would appear that all is not lost for those craving freshly made savoury or sweet treats.

Independent bakeries across Yorkshire have reported a boom in online sales after diversifying to offer a delivery service to residents stuck in lockdown.

Bluebird Bakery, the Malton-based artisan company, which also has outlets in York and Leeds, has reported a surge in internet orders since the coronavirus shutdown.

Husband and wife team Al and Nicky Kippax, the company founders, told The Yorkshire Post that the decision had to be taken to have two delivery drivers working full-time to cope with the demand.

More than 450 home deliveries per week have been made across Leeds, York and Malton since lockdown, with a peak of 500. The most popular savoury items including the bakery's seven seeded sourdough and Bengali five-spice and spinach and chickpea savoury rolls.

For those with a sweet tooth - salted caramel slices slices and chocolate brownies have had the highest demand.

Orders for hot cross buns sales via the internet reached 2,000 items sold over the Easter period.

Al said: "Online orders have been busy since lockdown.

"Overall our trade and profit hasn't gone down because we adapted to online.

"We have changed our business model and we offer deliveries now".

The 45-year-old added Yorkshire small businesses could prosper during lockdown if they were able to make a move online.

"The business is out there, you have just got to try and adapt to it."

"If you can get online it's the perfect opportunity to get selling."

Other independent bakers across the region have also witnessed a dramatic rise in online sales.

At Cupalicious Cakes in Ossett, owners Ian and Emma Harrison told The Yorkshire Post are struggling to keep up with demand since switching to a delivery service only to residents stuck in lockdown.

The self-taught bakers, who opened up shop at the beginning of last year, said online sales were at a record high with more than 180 delivers across the UK each week, including sending packages to Scotland and Wales.

And the in demand bakery currently had an on-line pre-order list with more than 1000 people waiting for delivery.

"Business is booming," Ian said.

"There is a lot of interest online and we are getting hundreds of messages a day".

Ian said recent online success was due to scaling back on baking and offering 'treat boxes' for delivery which only include the most popular sweet items - blondies, brownies and cookies.

"We've had to adapted, we have reduced what we usually make and focused on a couple of items," the 36-year-old said.

He added: "The boxes have done well because it's just a really nice treat to receive. It's a good size for two people to share as well."

The couple started trading on Bank Street and chose to settle in the town after moving around the world with the army.

Ian had spent 16 years serving with the British Army living in Aldershot and Cyprus before settling in Wakefield last year.

The 36-year-old said other bakeries needed to move to a online and utilise social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Cupalicious' Facebook page to promote their homemade goods has shot up to more than 26,000 members all showing support during lockdown.

"You have to get online," he said.

"At the moment our focus is just on getting to everyone on the pre-order list and making sure we brighten there day with a sweet delivery."

Elsewhere bagel and beer loving consumers have been responsible for a spike in online orders for a West Yorkshire independent baker.

Nick Simpson, the owner of Leeds-based Slow Rise Bakery, has paired up with Horsforth Brewery and now offers a delivery service in Leeds.

The independent company started trade online after it was due to open it's doors to the public on Sunny Bank Avenue for the first time on the at the end of March.

The Bramley resident is now baking 270 bagels a week for order - baking plain, seeded and cinnamon and raisin flavours.

"We haven't even opened as a functioning cafe and bakery yet," Nick said.

"But as soon as lockdown happened people have got in touch and said what can we do to help.

"I have been blown away by the positivity we have received for being independent."

The 35-year-old, who had previously been a sole trader in Wakefield and Leeds added he was confident Yorkshire small businesses could enjoy a “boom” after lockdown measures are lifted if the public continues to show support for local independent businesses.

"It's been a really good sign for when we do get to open after lockdown," he said.

"It's great to see the public support local businesses like me, it's overwhelming really.

"That has given me some hope and positives going forward."

The bakery industry in the UK is worth £3.9bn a year, according to figures from the Government.

To find out more about Bluebird Bakery visit here, to visit Cupalicious Cakes Facebook visit here, and to find our more about Slow Rise Baker, Horsforth visit here.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirus

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