BakeArt UK expands Ashington operations

An Ashington-based manufacturer of cake decorations has expanded into new premises following a period of rapid growth.

BakeArt UK, which is based at Merchant Court in Ashington, has invested £150,000 to lease and kit-out two new units which will allow it to extend its operations.

The company, which launched in 2010, employs 25 staff and specialises in the design and production of cake decorations for retailers including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and a number of high street bakery chains.

Arch, the Northumberland Development Company, supported business partners Malcolm Hemmings and Tony Wadley to facilitate the expansion by identifying and advising them on a deal.

BakeArt managing director Wadley said: “When we launched, our client base was mainly in the UK but we’re now selling into Ireland and France with plans to export across Europe from 2016.

“A major benefit of working with the commercial team at Arch is its speed and flexibility. It quickly assessed and understood the needs of the business.”

The new units have increased BakeArt’s manufacturing capacity, storage and office space.

Arch group chairman and deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, councillor Dave Ledger, said: “Arch has a clear economic focus designed to bring a fresh, more enterprising and business-like approach to development and regeneration in the county.

“We are proud to work with ambitious local companies like BakeArt.  It is a perfect example of a young company which really hit the ground running.”

Arch was established by Northumberland County Council in 2011 as a private-sector arms-length development company to drive capital economic development, physical regeneration projects and business growth across the county.

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