Six-figure funding fires up growth ambitions for long-established bakery
A 60-year old bakery with two retail outlets in Doncaster has secured a £250,000 loan from Finance for Enterprise (FFE).
Rhodes of Thorne comprises two bakery deli and sandwich shops located in Doncaster.
The business is now under new ownership and has evolved from being just a bakery to offering hot and cold sandwiches and other sweet and savoury products.
Its new owner is Zobeena Amin who was previously a teacher. Her plans for Rhodes of Thorne include developing additional markets and introducing new sweet and savoury products ranges.
She also intends to grow the wholesale side of the bakery business, improve ingredient buying power using existing suppliers, introduce a range of occasion cakes and open additional stores.
She said: “FFE have been really helpful and supportive throughout the loan application process, and I am now really excited about the prospect of owning my own business.
“There are many opportunities for Rhodes of Thorne to increase its brand awareness and customer base.
“I know from previous experience how much a website and using social media can positively impact sales and plan to use these digital marketing skills to deliver these improvements.”
Neil Wade, senior business lending manager from FFE, added: “Assisting entrepreneurs with ambitions to create jobs locally is a primary objective for FFE.
“With Zobeena’s enthusiasm we are sure her new venture will be a huge success and create further new jobs on the high street in Doncaster.”
Rhodes of Thorne was incorporated in 1960 was operated for 18 years by the previous owners Gail and Steven Jackson, who are now retiring. The business employs 15 staff across its two sites.
