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ASHINGTON BAKER RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
An Ashington-born baker has passed another milestone with the opening of his second bakery and shop.
In 2006, after nearly 30 years baking bread for most of the UK’s major supermarkets, master baker Keith Glenton fulfilled his ambition of setting up his first bakery and shop in Newbiggin.
The Newbiggin by the Sea Home Bakery, established with help from Go Wansbeck – the district’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative - has gone from strength to strength, attracting customers from all over the North East and currently employing nine people. Now Keith, 48, has extended his business to Waterside Court on the North Seaton Industrial Estate in Ashington where he will initially take on four more staff.
Keith said: “When I started the business in Newbiggin I had reached the stage where I thought if I don’t do it now it will be too late. I’ve been a baker a long time and had some experience of business. I also wanted to offer something different from the supermarkets where you get the same wherever you shop.”
As well as hard work, the key to Keith’s success has been the quality of his bread which is baked in the traditional way by first fermenting the dough. “Nobody else does it, “ he said. “They all just throw in a packet of yeast. People know that my bread is different. That’s why I have customers who come from as far away as Bishop Auckland.”
His business received funding from Go Wansbeck to help it set up and further funding to help it expand. Keith has also benefited from business mentoring and advice as well as assistance in finding suitable new premises in Ashington. Go Wansbeck programme manager Keith Raine said: “Keith’s success illustrates perfectly what we are trying to achieve in Wansbeck. He has a great product and great motivation. We were able to offer some support and the result has been a thriving business and new jobs. The shop in Newbiggin has also helped bring life back to the village centre.”
The business has also become a real family affair, with Keith’s son Martin, 20, training to be a baker and his wife Janet and daughter Melanie also working in the shop. The majority of the products are baked on the premises and the new bakery in Ashington will provide the opportunity to further increase the range.
If you are interested in finding commercial premises in the Wansbeck area or would like help with your business contact the Go Wansbeck team on 01670 844560 or visit the website www.gowansbeck.co.uk
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