Manchester baker eyes expansion

MANCHESTER bakery chain Martins Foods has secured a six-figure loan from NatWest’s manufacturing fund to support its expansion plans.

The company, which operates from sites in Newton Heath, Radcliffe and Llandudno, recently acquired Mellors Bakery in Southport out of administration, in a deal that saved 60 jobs.

Martins now plan to invest in new production machinery at the former Mellors site in Southport to improve its efficiency, and also have plans to install an additional cake production line at its Newton Heath bakery.   

The company, which has an annual turnover of £10.4m, was formed in 1922 and remains a family owned and managed concern with around 28 shops in Greater Manchester. It also produce ambient and frozen products at its 30,000 sq ft site in Eccles, which are supplied to supermarkets.

Managing director Neil Martin, said: “As we look to integrate the former Mellors business and make investments to our production process it is important to have a strong working capital facility in place. The manufacturing fund is a good solution as we have been able to secure investment finance on very competitive terms.”   

NatWest’s £1bn fund provides UK manufacturing businesses of any size with fixed rate loans and the option to defer repayments for up to three years.