Number of UK bakery businesses has risen by 20% in last year

Britons with a love of home baking could make a lot of ‘dough’ from starting a bakery business, if the growth of UK independent bakeries is anything to go by.

According to new research from Simply Business, the number of entrepreneurs starting bakeries has risen by 1,500% from 2012 to 2016 – while the total number of new bakeries has increased by a staggering 20% in the last year alone.

The research, published ahead of the much-loved Great British Bake Off show returning to our screens tonight, suggests that the “nation is hungry for bakery businesses”. There has been particular consumer demand in the South East where there has been the fastest regional growth in new artisan bakeries of the last five years.

Contradicting stereotypes, it was found that most of these new bakery businesses are male-run with 75% founded by male entrepreneurs over the last two years while there has been a 4% decrease in female bakers like Lauren Roffey, the founder of fast-growth bakery venture Baked Worthing.

Consumer appetite for cake was also found to be high in Liverpool, Manchester and Bradford; cities where there has been marked growth in new independent bakery start-ups.

Fiona McSwein, Simply Business’s chief customer officer, believes that the popularity of The Great British Bake Off “over recent years has created a nationwide craving for croissants and cupcakes and reminded consumers that nothing beats something homemade”:

“Rather than mass-production, the public may now be looking for artisan treats made with natural ingredients and personality by local entrepreneurs. We are proud to support the nation’s small businesses and sole traders that are putting artisan bakeries back on the menu.”

Want to turn your passion for baking into a money spinner? View our step-by-step guide to starting a bakery business here.