New bakery business launched thanks to £250,000 loan

Goodness Baked

A new wholesale bakery business has been launched in Lancaster and already has its sights set on a £1m turnover.

Goodness Baked secured £250,000 worth of funding from Warrington-based asset finance specialist Academy Leasing.

The business has been set up by baker Ian Stansfield and his wife Siona Mckimmie and will manufacture a wide range of artisan-style breads, pastries, cakes and snacks to be sold by major retailers and hospitality businesses.

Christmas pudding production will also form a major part of operations, with this year’s supplies well under way.

Besides the wholesale arm of the business, Goodness Baked will also provide bread for sandwich shops in the region, deliver hot and cold lunches to local workplaces, and have its own high-street retail shop in Garstang.

Ian and Siona have partially self-funded the venture, with additional support coming from Academy Leasing, which has funded a suite of equipment for the factory to the value of £250,000.

Supplied by Mono Equipment, new kit now in place at the 6,500 sq ft premises in Bay Horse includes ovens, mixers, rollers, a pastry braider, a proving cabinet and a walk-in freezer.

With over 25 years’ professional baking experience, Ian will act as managing director for the business, while Siona, who also works as a GP in Garstang, will take the role of commercial director.

The ambitious pair are now confident that they can meet their goal of turning over £1 million by 2020.

Ian said: “It’s always been my dream to own by own baking business and I’m so thrilled that it’s all come together.

“With Goodness Baked, our aim is to offer unique, consistently high quality produce, while having the flexibility to cater to a wide range of needs, and we already have a number of exciting contracts in the pipeline.

“The support from Academy Leasing has been invaluable in helping us get off the ground.

“Having initially thought we’d have to get second-hand equipment, which naturally can be unreliable and prone to breakdowns, we were given a real boost when Academy said they could provide us with brand new kit for the factory.

“Not only has it helped us avoid costly repair bills, but because it looks so professional, it’s laid a great foundation for us to develop relationships with potential clients.”

Paul Horan, asset sales manager at Academy Leasing, said: “While they had no history of accounts to prove the sustainability of their business model, Ian and Siona came to us with a solid business plan and bags of experience, so we worked closely with them to help turn their dreams into a reality.

“The impact good equipment can have on a business is immeasurable – particularly in catering, where efficiency and consistency are key – so we were delighted to play such an important role in their growth. Goodness Baked is already set to be a truly successful business and we wish them the best of luck on their journey.”

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