Bakery beats the competition

Fast growing Bath Bakery is now running the two food and drink concessions in the recently-opened Keynsham Civic Centre in Bath, Somerset, UK.

The multi-million pound development includes retail units and access to public services as well new office space for Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The announcement is the latest in Bath Bakery’s rapid expansion programme which, in just three years, has seen the number of outlets run by the artisan business rise from five to 14.

The first Keynsham Civic Centre concession sees Bath Bakery run a public coffee shop, part of the council’s new ‘one stop shop’ access point for services, while the other sees the company take responsibility for operating the employee-only restaurant for Banes.

Managing director Mark Slevin has spearheaded the company’s recent rapid growth, which has also made Bath Bakery one of the area’s largest independent employers with headcount rising to over 100.

“There were some very big names vying for the right to run these concessions so it was a great moment when we learned we had won the contracts,” says Mark Slevin.

“The new Civic Centre is a truly inspirational place, which will be a vital focal point for the entire community and I am extremely proud for Bath Bakery to be part of this important development,” he adds.

As well as opening new retail outlets Bath Bakery, which prides itself on the quality of its artisan, hand-made baked goods, also recently launched an entirely new range of gluten-free food, called Batch#5, backed by a purpose-built production facility in Farrington Gurney. “The combination of fantastic produce, a knowledgeable and service-focused team and of course our fabulous customers who appreciate great tasting food makes a formidable mix and is the bedrock of our continued success,” continues Mark Slevin.

“We’re well on course for our best sales year ever and everything is in place to push on into 2015, which is a very special year as it marks Bath Bakery’s 30th anniversary,” he adds.