Bakery owners use their loaf to finalise sale of the family business

Leeds-based Orton’s Bakery has changed hands in a seller funded deal.

Don and Carol Orton have sold their entire issued share capital to the bakery’s former manager and his partner, Gary and Catherine Parker.

The business, which supplies over 200 different types of artisan bread and confectionery, was established 36 years ago and now delivers around 100,000 units per week to hundreds of outlets in Leeds including the universities, colleges, catering companies and Leeds market.

“When Carol and I decided to sell, it was important to us that the bakery continue as a family business,” said Don Orton.

“The local communities rely on us as a provider for their oven bottom stone baked breadcakes and both the skill involved and stone floored ovens we use are an integral part of what makes us who we are.

“I’ve passed that knowledge onto Gary over the last 10 years and we wanted to structure a deal that didn’t involve the banks and worked for all of us.”

Boutique law firm 3volution advised the Ortons on the structure of the sale and its negotiation and the sale and security documentation.

Jonathan Priestley, partner at 3volution, said: “A seller funded deal was the perfect solution for Orton’s and the deal went smoothly from start to finish. What suits one company isn’t always the best way forward for the next and it was part of our remit to make sure the transaction wasn’t unnecessarily complicated.”

Gary and Catherine Parker will continue to work hands-on in the business alongside its 21 employees and Don Orton will also continue to clock-in at 4am as a consultant two days per week.

Don added: “We’re looking forward to watching the bakery thrive as Ortons becomes equally renowned by the growing number of gelatos and sheisha lounges for its cake bases as it is for its breadcakes.”