{"id":1166,"date":"2025-09-01T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/articles\/great-british-bake-off-and-home-baking-businesses-on-the-rise\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T12:35:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T12:35:47","slug":"uk-bakery-hotspots-revealed","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/hospitality\/uk-bakery-hotspots-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"GBBO returns \u2013 but where are the UK\u2019s bakery sweet spots?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New data reveals that the number of independent bakers has grown by 34 per cent in the last five years \u2013 but where in the UK has the highest number of bakery businesses?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data, based on the number of insurance policies sold by Simply Business, reveals the UK\u2019s top bakery hotspots \u2013 as well as the fastest-growing areas for budding bakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With another season of the Great British Bake Off hitting our screens, Brits may be craving delicious baked goods more than ever. So if you live in one of these hotspots, you may be in luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Midlands takes the cake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Midlands takes the cake as the UK’s bakery capital \u2013 home to one in seven (14 per cent) of the nation’s active bakeries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland sees just 133 bakery businesses in 2024 \u2013 but this is a 90 per cent increase from its 70 bakery businesses in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"UK<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Does your area have a sweet tooth? See the full list below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
    \n
  1. The Midlands<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. East Anglia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. North East England<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. North West England<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. South Central England<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. South East England<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
      \n
    1. Scotland<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. South West England<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. London<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Wales<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Northern Ireland<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Islands<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Our regional data doesn’t split the Midlands and includes Yorkshire and the Humber in North East<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Taking the whisk \u2013 UK\u2019s fastest-growing bakery business hotspots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The Midlands once again tops the polls to be crowned the fastest growing bakery business hotspot in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"UK's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Another rising region is Wales \u2013 which saw the highest percentage growth of new policies between 2023 and 2024, at 15 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Serena Wesley, owner of Serena’s Sweet Treats in Birmingham, is one of these bakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Of starting her business, she says: \u201cI started my business after going to college and university, but had a break due to being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and having chronic widespread pain syndrome. During my break, I had two children and started baking cakes for birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cMy family and friends started to want baked goods too. I was having so much fun trying out new recipes and creating new sweet treats and decided that I wanted to turn it into a career. I got help from the Kings Trust who helped me turn it into a home bakery with grants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      How to become a baker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Want to help prevent the decline of bakery businesses in the UK? If your region isn\u2019t one of the top performers, you could always start a home bakery business yourself. Why not find a gap in the market to see if a baking business would work in your area?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Serena of Serena’s Sweet Treats has three top tips for budding bakers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. During the stressful moments, pause what you’re making and have a breather<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Always keep trying \u2013 there will be push backs but when you overcome them, it\u2019ll make you grow as a baker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Enjoy it, make the most of what you do \u2013 and don\u2019t forget to try the baked goods you make!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        If you do start your own bakery business, don\u2019t forget to sort your business insurance.  Public liability insurance<\/a> and product liability insurance<\/a> (usually sold together) can help to cover you if you\u2019re sued by a member of the public for injury or damage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

        More guides for budding bakers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n