How To Launch Your Bakery Business In The UK

<This is a contributed post> Baking has enjoyed tremendous popularity in the UK over the years thanks to various cooking shows and the growing café culture across the UK. As per the Federation of Bakers Ltd (FOB), the UK bakery market is worth a stunning £3.9 billion, representing an important sector of the UK food industry. Therefore, starting a baking business is an excellent business idea due to its high-profit potential. If you want to learn more about launching a bakery business this year, please consider the following points.

Set Up Shop

There are different business models you can operate as a UK bakery, so it is best to think about what type of shop you will set up. Generally, you can operate as an online, counter-service, sit-down, or specialty bakery, depending on your preference, capital, skills, and ambition. Also, generally speaking, you would need to secure between £500 and £1000 for licensing and legal fees, as well as £1000-£5000 for kitchen equipment. In addition, your commercial rent or mortgage can cost you anywhere between £500-£2,500, and be prepared to pay up to £3000 for start-up supplies and ingredients.

Find Ways To Stand Out

Standing out in the baking industry must be a top priority for all new bakeries, so it is prudent to put great thought into differentiating yourself from competitors. For example, you can pick a niche by specializing in children’s party cupcakes, birthday cakes, or wedding cakes. Similarly, you can appeal to a more health-conscious clientele by offering vegan or gluten-free baked goods. Also, you can explore more creative ways to deliver your goods to customers. For example, you can operate a postal brownie delivery bakery, ensuring that clients receive personalized and assorted brownies delivered by post.

Develop An Online Presence

Visibility is vital in the crowded baking industry, so all bakeries need a solid online presence to establish themselves in clients’ minds. Therefore, you can invest in a great business website with an informative homepage since a reported 86% of website visitors want to see information about a company’s products and services on their site’s homepage. Additionally, set up profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, and update them regularly with delightful pictures to attract customers.

Sort Out All Legalities

As expected, there are numerous rules and regulations that you must abide by to open a bakery successfully, so it is crucial to sort out all these requirements before starting. For instance, you are legally obligated to register your business premises with your local authority’s environmental health service before setting up any food business in the UK. Also, this registration must be done a minimum of 28 days before you open for business, so keep this in mind. Generally, this registration doesn’t cost anything, and you can get approved after a local official visits your premises to ensure that it is safe and sanitary. 

In addition, you will be required to develop a plan based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Principles to keep your food safe from all types of hazards.

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