Village Bakery wins planning permission for new factory

Welsh pie and pasty maker Village Bakery has won planning permission to open a new site at an industrial estate in Wrexham, with plans to create new jobs for the area.

The company will extend and alter the former Caparo Wire Factory on Ash Road South, near its other premises on the industrial estate, as well as creating additional car parking and heavy goods vehicle loading and unloading areas.

Apart from safeguarding Village Bakery’s existing jobs and creating new full time roles, the construction work will create employment opportunities for local tradesmen, according to the firm.

Employment opportunities

Established in 2011 with 14 employees and a turnover of less than £1 million (m), the Wrexham site currently employs more than 160 staff and has a turnover of £19m.

The baker supplies retail customers and supermarkets across Wales and the rest of the UK, including Tesco, Spar, Asda, the Co-op and McColl’s. It also exports to Hong Kong and Singapore.

The company makes bread, rolls, pies, pancakes and pikelets. It also has an on-the-go range, which includes sausage rolls, steak pies and slices.

Apprenticeships

Last year, Village Bakery created 50 new jobs, including 12 apprenticeships, to help it supply its growing demand.

The new jobs were spread across its three sites, while the apprentices were trained at its Baking Academy and Innovation Centre, which was opened in 2015.

Meanwhile, Irish craft brewer Porterhouse Brewing Company has launched a €6m (£5.28m) brewery in Dublin, as it works to meet rising demand from the UK and Europe.