{"id":231,"date":"2019-09-12T14:42:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-12T14:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/about-us\/press-releases\/surge-in-independent-bakeries\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T15:13:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:13:41","slug":"surge-in-independent-bakeries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/about-us\/press-releases\/surge-in-independent-bakeries\/","title":{"rendered":"Surge in Independent Bakeries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Surge in Independent Bakeries<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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

BAKE NEWS: Great British Bake Off \u2018rises\u2019 surge in independent bakeries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

48% surge in the number of UK independent bakeries over the last three years Northern Powerhouse comes out on top with more independent bakeries in the North West and North East than the rest of the UK South West saw the fastest growth (34%), closely followed by Wales and Scotland (both 29%) and East Anglia (27%)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) whipping up its fresh batch of contestants, small business insurer Simply Business has revealed a 48% surge in the number of independent bakeries across the UK between 2016-2018[1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of over 6,400 insurance policies taken out over a three-year period shows independent bakeries, cake makers and decorators, and tea and cake shops are showing no signs of crumbling, with the number consistently rising year-on-year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2018, a total of 2,827 policies were taken out, a 48% increase compared to the 1,467 taken out in 2016. While an average of 9.3 million[2] people tuned in to watch each episode last year, the UK saw a 25% rise in the number of independent bakeries across the nation, as more Brits are turning their baking passions into a successful business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year<\/th>Policies taken out<\/th>Percentage increase<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2018<\/td>2,827<\/td>25%<\/td><\/tr>
2017<\/td>2,121<\/td>31%<\/td><\/tr>
2016<\/td>1,467<\/td>n\/a<\/td><\/tr>
Total rise between 2016-2018: 48%<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The nation-wide trend has shown Northerners are leading the way, with the North West coming out on top with a total number of 866 independently owned bakeries, closely followed by the North East with 858.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fastest growing region in the last year was the South West, with a 34% increase between 2017-2018. This was closely followed by Wales and Scotland (both growing by 29%) and East Anglia (growing by 27%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Region<\/th>Percentage increase from 2017-2018[3]<\/strong><\/th>Total number of independent bakeries<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
South West England<\/td>34%<\/td>575<\/td><\/tr>
Scotland<\/td>29%<\/td>413<\/td><\/tr>
Wales<\/td>29%<\/td>318<\/td><\/tr>
East Anglia<\/td>27%<\/td>798<\/td><\/tr>
South Central England<\/td>25%<\/td>599<\/td><\/tr>
North West England<\/td>24%<\/td>866<\/td><\/tr>
North East England<\/td>24%<\/td>858<\/td><\/tr>
Northern Ireland<\/td>24%<\/td>64<\/td><\/tr>
South East England<\/td>23%<\/td>647<\/td><\/tr>
The Midlands<\/td>20%<\/td>791<\/td><\/tr>
London<\/td>17%<\/td>504<\/td><\/tr>
Islands<\/td>n\/a<\/td>3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The majority of independent bakeries and cake shops are founded by women, who started 87% more business than men over the three-year period. A total of 1,670 bakeries were owned by females between 2016-2018, compared to 206 by men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last year alone women opened up 38% more bakeries, cake makers or decorators. This is a jump from 540 in 2017, to 878 in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>2016<\/th>2017<\/strong><\/th>2018<\/strong><\/th>Total<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Female<\/td>252<\/td>540<\/td>878<\/td>1670<\/td><\/tr>
Male<\/td>44<\/td>51<\/td>111<\/td>206<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bea Montoya, Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business commented:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Great British Bake Off is one of the most anticipated shows in the UK television calendar and it\u2019s inspired thousands of bakers across the nation to rise up and start their own independent business. In every area we\u2019re seeing a year-on-year increase in the number of cake makers, decorators and dough bakers, as more local p\u00e2tissiers are turning passions into professional businesses. A significant number of females in particular are taking the leap, with a 38% increase in baking business\u2019 opening within the last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, so the fact that so many aspiring bakers and pastry makers are making the leap is extremely encouraging. With the accessibility of social media marketing on their side and a demand for bespoke artisan bakers and dessert makers, business insurance is crucial in protecting a new venture \u2013 from public liability to employers\u2019 liability insurance, it’s a must for businesses who want to protect themselves and their treasured customers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 tips to help your bakery business rise<\/strong> Bea Montoya, Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sort your home baking insurance<\/strong> It\u2019s important to think about business insurance when setting up your baking business. Public liability insurance and product liability insurance (usually sold together) can cover you if you\u2019re sued by a member of the public for injury or damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Think about standing out<\/strong> With the growing number of independently owned bakeries out there, it\u2019s important to think about differentiating your business. This could mean specialising in vegan or gluten-free bakes, or concentrating on children\u2019s party cupcakes or wedding cakes. Cakes can be difficult to transport, so it\u2019s important to have a good sense of the local market, as most customers need to be close enough for in-person delivery or collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Develop an online presence<\/strong> When making a product that\u2019s supposed to look beautiful, photographs are key. Set up a website with important details covering what you do, where you\u2019re based, and how people can place an order – and add plenty of mouth-watering photos. Set up a Twitter account, a Facebook page, and an Instagram account for your business, and keep them updated with posts and photographs and interact with other accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Get out and about with your baking business<\/strong> Although you\u2019re setting up a baking business from home, it\u2019s a good idea to get out and about to tell people about your business and develop a reputation locally. Consider applying for a stall at local events, including food markets and fetes. You can offer people free samples, sell cakes, and give out flyers and leaflets to promote your home baking business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Market your business<\/strong> As well as going to local events with your cakes and using social media to reach potential customers, think of more ways to market your business. If you\u2019re specialising in wedding cakes, try to put flyers in a wedding dress shop, or develop a relationship with a local wedding venue. You could try Google Pay Per Click (PPC) ads or Facebook advertising, but remember to narrow the audience down to your local area so that the adverts are only appearing for people within your delivery zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1] Data includes independent bakeries, tea and cake shops, cake makers and decorators. 2 GBBO viewing figures<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further information, please contact:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frank PR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+44 20 7693 7433<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SimplyBusiness@welcometofrank.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Simply Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply Business<\/a>\u202fis one of the UK\u2019s biggest business insurance providers, specialising in public liability insurance for small and midsize enterprises. Launched in 2005, Simply Business provides an online brokerage service, delivering policies tailored to individual business requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the power of tech and data to create the best possible customer experiences, Simply Business employs over 1,200 people across offices in London and Northampton, UK; and in Boston, Massachusetts; and Atlanta, Georgia, in the U.S. Owing to the insurance provider\u2019s internal underwriting capability and expert panel of insurers, Simply Business can cover over 1,200 trade types \u2013 ranging from plumbers to accountants to dog walkers.\u202fIts UK brand campaign \u2013 \u2018Simply The Best<\/a>\u2019 \u2013 aims to help UK small businesses feel \u2018the best\u2019 about their business insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

We create this content for general information purposes and it should not be taken as advice. Always take professional advice. Read our full disclaimer<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n