Latest news with #VillageBakery
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh bakery creating 150 jobs in £47m expansion
Welsh bakery creating 150 jobs in £47m expansion The business is ramping up its production and storage capacity Jones Village bakery Wrexham: chief executive Simon Thorpe and Wrexham councillor Nigel Williams. (Image: Picture Mandy Jones ) Jones Village Bakery is investing £47m to expand its production and storage capacity in a move that will create 150 new jobs. The investment will see a new £20m production line to make bread and rolls at its headquarters site on Wrexham Industrial Estate. When it becomes operational, the 140,000 sq ft bakery in Ash Road will be full to capacity. It is also planning to convert and extend a storage facility that was built on a nearby site of the company's bakery that was destroyed by a devastating fire in 2019. The scheme will see an additional investment of £27m and the new bakery will enable the company to continue to ramp up production. Last year private equity firm Limerston Capital sold its majority stake in the business to French bakery venture Menissez. In financial year to the end of September, 2023, Village Bakery employed 740 with revenues of nearly £100m. Article continues below Wales experiences big rise in foreign direct investment projects READ MORE: Its chief executive Simon Thorpe said: "This is the beginning of yet another new and exciting chapter in the Village Bakery success story. "Our plan is to rise, phoenix-like from the ashes and turn the old fire site where the bakery burned down into a state-of-the-art facility. "Once again we will be marrying the very best equipment available with our craft bakery skills so we can make even more fantastic products in greater volume." Projects director Kris Green said: "The additional capacity is needed because of our burgeoning order book thanks to the growing appetite for our products, not just here in the UK but also across Europe and as far afield as Australia. "It's going to enable us to make a wider range of products with a real focus on quality." Former managing director and chief executive, Robin Jones said: "Between them, these two major investments will create 150 new jobs – 30 of them at the site of the former bakery that was destroyed. "It was a heartbreaking experience but thankfully nobody was hurt and our darkest day also became our finest hour. "We are now growing faster than ever and his is great news for Wrexham and the local economy." Nigel Williams, Wrexham County Borough Council's lead member for economy, business and tourism, said: "How the company has bounced back after the fire and the growth they've had since then is phenomenal – the company is a great ambassador for Wrexham. Article continues below "It's great to hear that they have the confidence to continue investing in Wrexham – their commitment to Wrexham is 100% and the extra jobs coming here are great news for the local economy. "It's very much a family brand and a place to work with a family ethos which is nice to see nowadays."
Leader Live
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Wrexham bakery worker to participate in 8,000-mile car rally
Car enthusiast George Loftus, who works at Jones Village Bakery, will take part in the Mongol Rally, known for 'motoring stupidity on a grand scale.' He and his three friends will undertake the challenge in a Renault Clio 2009 Sport Tourer, a £500 'banger' with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and 138,000 miles on the clock. The route includes the Pamir Highway, the world's second-highest road in Tajikistan, reaching an altitude of 15,272 feet. At that altitude, the air is so thin that it could affect the car's engine performance. Mr Loftus, a senior development technologist, was inspired by the Top Gear trio, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond. He and his friends, Tom Suter, Jon Fowell, and Hau Ying Baker, met at Shropshire's Harper Adams University, where they bonded over their shared interest in cars. The group, called No Half Sends, is one of 198 teams participating this year. Mr Loftus, 27, said: "The Mongol Rally is an organised charity rally that runs each year. "It started off in 2004, and it sees teams take a small and unreliable car from Prague to Oskemen, Kazakhstan. "Teams are given a start location and time, and a finish location and time - and that is it. "There is no set route, so teams must plan their own way. The group, called No Half Sends, is one of 198 teams participating this year (Image: Mandy Jones) "The rally organisers like to promote the adventure aspect by allowing teams to come up with their own route and embrace the unpredictability that comes with travelling intercontinentally." The team has already planned their journey, which kicks off in the UK, followed by France, Belgium, and Germany to reach the Czech Republic. From there, they will weave through Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia. Finally, they'll pass through Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan before reaching the finish line in Kazakhstan. The team will have to negotiate a logistical hurdle at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, which is currently closed. They will ship their car from Tbilisi to Baku on a lorry, fly across the border, and then continue their journey. READ MORE: Over 2,500 miles tackled as hundreds enjoy Wrexham Walking Festival 2025 Plan to turn historic Shotton police station into family home refused Mr Loftus said: "The border is shut between Georgia and Azerbaijan, so we have to ship our car from Tbilisi to Baku on the back of a lorry, and we will fly across the border and then wait in Baku to collect the car. 'Once we've got the car, we are crossing the Caspian Sea on a ferry." Mr Loftus thanked his employer, the Village Bakery, for their support. He said: "The support has been great from the whole team at the bakery." As well as raising funds for the Cool Earth charity, Mr Loftus's team will support five other organisations through their sponsored drive. These are Lupus UK, the Stroke Association, Grinshill Animal Rescue, mental health charity BEN, and the farming charity RABI. Village Bakery shareholder Robin Jones said: "I must admit it seems a bit bonkers but I take off my hat to George and his team because it's going to be an epic adventure and they're going to be raising money for some very good causes." Simon Thorpe, CEO of the bakery, said: "George is a great guy who is a great asset to the team. "He's a very capable and resourceful young man, and I am sure he is going to need those qualities during this amazing adventure."
Business News Wales
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Village Bakery MD Honoured for Industry Contribution at Wales Food and Drink Awards
A top baker has been honoured for his 'outstanding contribution' to the Welsh food and drink industry. The accolade was bestowed on Robin Jones, who has led the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery through a period of growth, at the Wales Food and Drink Awards. The ceremony to recognise the best of the best in the sector was held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno and was hosted by former BBC journalist and TV presenter Sian Lloyd, who also hails from Wrexham. It was the latest in a long line of awards Robin has received, having previously been named Baker of the Year at the bakery industry Oscars and winning the Enterprise category at the Welsh Government's annual St David's Awards. Last month the Village Bakery was given a King's Award for Enterprise after achieving record overseas sales over the past three years. Robin said that receiving the Outstanding Contribution award was special because he was among his peers in the Welsh food and drink industry. He is a third generation master baker at the Village Bakery which was bought by his father, Alan Jones, and his grandfather, Harry Jones, in 1964. As a teenager, he helped out at the bakery every weekend and in the school holidays and after qualifying as a baker he joined the firm full time, later becoming managing director. He and his brother Christien, an engineer by trade, formed a team at the top of the company as it expanded rapidly over the past two decades. Robin said: 'The outstanding contribution award came as a big shock. We went there to celebrate the success of one of our apprentices, Tilly Squire, who was one of the finalists, which was fantastic. 'I was quite humbled because the success of the Village Bakery isn't down to me per se. It was an award for Christien, for Dad, all the staff and everyone who's worked at the Village Bakery and has put a lot of effort in. 'We've worked very hard with some amazing people and we've seen the bakery grow but without Christien we wouldn't have built such a successful business. 'We've got complementary skills. He's the engineer and I'm the baker – I think that's the ethos of a small business when it comes to growth. We make a good team. 'My Dad always said to me that you don't create a legacy by standing still and I think we have created a heck of a legacy thanks to everybody involved, past and present. It's been one hell of a journey.' Among the major highlights for Robin was the opening of their ground-breaking gluten free bakery in 2008 and the opening of a new, state-of-the-art bakery in 2015 by the then Prince of Wales, and the then Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Camilla. But tough times lay ahead when their flagship bakery was destroyed by a devastating fire but, most importantly, all the staff evacuated the building without anybody being hurt.. Robin added: 'The fire on the 19th of August in 2019 was a terrible shock but I think it showed what was in the DNA of the people at Village Bakery. 'We turned it around. We've gone from strength to strength and have never looked back. Our darkest day became our finest hour. 'I'm very proud of what we've achieved. The Village Bakery is now recognised as one of the best bakeries in the UK. 'I recently attended a bakery exhibition in Germany and we had a lot of positive feedback from people across Europe which was great. 'We have built our business on innovation and sheer quality and we have more exciting plans in the pipeline so the company keeps evolving and growing – it's great to be part of that. 'The secret of our success is that we never stand still – it's one of things I insist on and that will be in our DNA forever.' Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales Food and Drink Awards, said: 'Robin Jones has not only helped drive incredible growth in the family firm over the past 30 years, he has also inspired others through his passion to upskill local young people and his contribution to the wider Welsh food and drink sector. 'Jones' Village Bakery is now one of the biggest employers in the Welsh food and drink industry and its successful export story is flying the flag for Wales.'
Leader Live
02-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham baker honoured at Wales Food and Drink Awards
Robin Jones, managing director of the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery, received the Outstanding Contribution award at this year's Wales Food and Drink Awards, held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The event was hosted by Sian Lloyd, former BBC journalist and TV presenter. The award celebrated his service to the sector and his role in expanding the family business. Mr Jones said: "The outstanding contribution award came as a big shock. "We went there to celebrate the success of one of our apprentices, Tilly Squire, who was one of the finalists, which was fantastic. "I was quite humbled because the success of the Village Bakery isn't down to me per se. "It was an award for Christien, for Dad, all the staff and everyone who's worked at the Village Bakery and has put a lot of effort in." READ MORE: 'You've done Wrexham proud': Olly Pearson celebrated after BGT success Wrexham fans to travel nearly 6,700 miles in Championship next season A third-generation baker, Mr Jones began working at the family bakery as a teenager. The business was purchased by his father, Alan, and grandfather, Harry, in 1964. After qualifying as a baker, Mr Jones joined the company full-time, later becoming managing director. He and his brother Christien, an engineer, have led the business for more than 20 years. He said: "We've worked very hard with some amazing people and we've seen the bakery grow but without Christien we wouldn't have built such a successful business. "We've got complementary skills. "He's the engineer and I'm the baker – I think that's the ethos of a small business when it comes to growth. "We make a good team. 'My Dad always said to me that you don't create a legacy by standing still, and I think we have created a heck of a legacy thanks to everybody involved, past and present." Jones Village Bakery also launched a gluten-free bakery in 2008 and opened a new facility in 2015, which was attended by the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, now King Charles and Queen Camilla. However, the company has also faced challenges, including a fire that destroyed its flagship bakery in August 2019. He said: "The fire on August 19 in 2019, was a terrible shock but I think it showed what was in the DNA of the people at Village Bakery. "We turned it around. "We've gone from strength to strength and have never looked back. "Our darkest day became our finest hour. "I'm very proud of what we've achieved." Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales Food and Drink Awards, said: "Robin Jones has not only helped drive incredible growth in the family firm over the past thirty years, he has also inspired others through his passion to upskill local young people and his contribution to the wider Welsh food and drink sector. "Jones' Village Bakery is now one of the biggest employers in the Welsh food and drink industry, and its successful export story is flying the flag for Wales." Last month, the bakery received a King's Award for Enterprise in recognition of its record international sales in the past three years.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New 20mph zone gets mixed response in Manningham area of Bradford
The latest 20mph zone to be introduced in Bradford is currently being assessed by the council to see how it is affecting drivers' well as the lower speed restriction covering Manningham and Heaton, speed humps and temporary road closures are in place to improve road speed restrictions and traffic-calming measures are already in place in the city centre, Shipley, Ilkley and BBC asked residents and business owners what impact they have had in the latest areas to join the safety scheme. Hamza Shakoor, who owns Shakoor & Sons Butchers on Emm Lane in Heaton, said he was "indifferent" about the scheme at first, "but it is a good thing".He said: "This is a long stretch of road, and it's a main road, so cars normally come up flying at high speeds."It's better because they have to slow down for the speed bumps." Mr Shakoor praised the installation of a pedestrian crossing with push-button traffic lights near a local he criticised the use of concrete planters to temporarily block off one entry lane to North Park Road as it caused "more congestion" on the main Emm Lane. Lisa Robertshaw, who runs the nearby Village Bakery, was sceptical of the impact of the new said: "I don't think it's particularly made any difference at all. "I mean if you see the cars speeding up and down here, if you watch them... none of them do it (20mph)."She said she was in favour of the new limit but wanted more Robersthaw said the speed restriction signs were too small and many drivers were unaware of the new limit. Stephen Todd, caretaker at St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, has lived in the area all his said: "I would say a bigger issue, for example, is the parking zones that they have."Maybe not so much outside shops, but elsewhere where there are no shops and they're parking so it narrows the road which does make it more dangerous."He said he did not see the need to reduce the old 30mph speed Kalhousova and her son Samuel Kalhous live on a street that has temporary concrete planters placed at one said: "We feel it is blocking the road for families like us living on the street."Every time we go to school, which is nearby, we have to take a diversion onto the main road to get there."I think it's alright if the speed limit is reduced. I think there should be speed bumps but I don't think there should be blocked-off roads." Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford Council, said: "We're committed to making our neighbourhoods safer, healthier and more accessible for everyone."The new 20mph zone in Manningham is a key part of that vision and has been shaped by local input throughout."He thanked everyone who took part in the council's consultation and those who "supported the scheme".The findings of the review will be presented to councillors at a later date. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
