Warburtons wins approval for new R&D centre

The new development – recently approved by Bolton Council – was understood to include a bakery testing facility, milling room and staff facilities.

The planning application requests permission to build a two-storey building with a gross internal area of up to 2278m², with servicing arrangements and hard/soft at its Hereford Street site.

Warburtons pledged to release more information on the project in due course. “This Research and Development Centre is an exciting opportunity for Warburtons,” ​said the bakery’s corporate and internal communications manager Tearmh Taylor.

‘Developing our family business locally’​

“We have always been committed to developing our family business locally and will share more information on this project in due course.”​

In the concluding statement accompanying the planning application, the bakery said: “The Warburtons Research & Development Centre proposals described in this document have been developed through a highly collaborative process with the clients’ ambitious and aspirational brief inspiring a strong collective focus for the design team.”​

‘Enhance the Bolton bakery site’​

It added: “Warburtons’ experience and clear passion for this project has helped shape the design journey to develop a distinctive, sustainable and functionally efficient building. It will expand and enhance the Bolton bakery site with a new, state-of-the art facility creating a welcoming and inspiring sense of place for all.”​

Meanwhile the business launched its first gluten-free crumpet at its dedicated gluten-free bakery​ in Newcastle in response to what it claimed was strong customer demand.