A Muir of Ord bakery business is expanding production and creating new jobs following a move to bigger premises.
Bad Girl Bakery supplies fresh, handmade, short shelf life, high quality cake for wholesale and retail.
The firm started as a sole-trading home-based cake business five years ago with support from The Highland Council’s Loan Fund. In 2017, after being awarded a contract to supply the Caledonian Sleeper, it moved to new premises and opened a café and bakery with further support.
Two months later after winning a contract to supply National Trust for Scotland and the introduction of a new mobile service the company expanded, with further support from the Council, into a vacant shop unit next door.
In recent times BGB was running close to capacity and discussed options with the Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). This secured an £11,000 investment from HIE and further support from the loan fund towards the cost of further expansion. This funding has helped fit out additional premises, nearby in the Muir of Ord Industrial Estate, with new upgraded equipment.
The expansion project is expected to create up to five new jobs at the firm over the next two years and increase the company’s annual turnover to more than £1m.
Bad Girl Bakery is run by directors, Douglas Hardie and Jeni Iannetta. Douglas said:
“We’re delighted to have expanded our wholesale operation. Without funding from HIE and Highland Council we would not have been able to meet the increased demand for our products. The new wholesale bakery has allowed us to increase output, efficiency and develop our product range.”
Phil King, business growth account manager with HIE, said:
“Bad Girl Bakery is part of the Highland and Islands important food and drink sector. The firm has shown steady growth since starting five years ago and has clear potential for further expansion, providing valuable employment and contributing to the local economy.
“We are very pleased to be able to support this project and look forward to continuing to work with the company on its growth plans.”
Councillor Helen Carmichael, Chair of the Council loan fund and Provost of Inverness added:
“It is positive to see the growth of BGB from first contact with the Council and the resultant funding partnership with HIE successfully facilitating further expansion. Highland Council look forward to continuing to support BGB achieve its growth plans over the coming years.”
