Village Bakery gains cash for new factory creating 115 jobs
The bakery produces private label and gluten-free goods for local and national retailers. It will continue to be run by managing director Robin Jones and his brother Christien, projects director, with their father Alan stepping down as chairman after 60 years in the industry.
The management team will retain a significant shareholding as part of the investment deal. According to Robin Jones, Village Bakery had multiple potential investors but Limerston Capital was seen as ‘the perfect fit’.
“Limerston Capital very quickly understood what the Village Bakery is all about in terms of our ethos and recognised we have a fantastic team of employees and a highly motivated management team with decades of bakery experience,” he said.
“For our part, as a family, we like that the investment in the company is coming from such a trusted, ethical and reliable source.”
Expansion
The new 140,000sq ft facility is due to open on the Wrexham Industrial Estate in August 2021, replacing the company’s original bakery, which was destroyed by a major fire in August 2019.
The premises will also house the Village Bakery headquarters as well as the company’s baking academy and innovation centre, which are both expanding to double their current size.
The business currently operates three other bakeries in the Wrexham area and employs more than 530 people.
Jones added: “The whole point of securing the extra investment is to fund future growth because we’re doing really well at the moment and our products are in great demand. This will help us realise our potential.
“The bakery will be kitted out with the very best equipment, making it one of the most modern bakeries in Europe.”
Recruitment
James Paget, a Limerston Capital Founding Partner, said: “We are delighted to partner with Robin and Christien Jones and will be supporting them as they continue to invest in Wrexham, recruit more people locally and further develop the Village Bakery’s position as a centre of baking excellence and innovation.
“The resilience of the staff and management and the commendable commitment of key customers in the aftermath of the fire evidenced the Village Bakery as a business of outstanding quality in an exceptionally competitive sector.”
Retiring Village Bakery chairman Alan Jones said: “This is exactly the right time for me to step down because the company is entering a new and exciting chapter in its growth and development. I am happy and content that the company is in safe hands.”
