Pandemic-born bakery expands into Warwickshire
A family-run bakery has expanded into Warwickshire. Jordan Blencowe and his wife, La Toya Fé, set-up Blencowe’s bakery during lockdown from their kitchen at their home in Banbury during 2020.
Within six months, their cupcakes, weddings and birthday cakes, were such a success the couple had refurbished their parents’ garage to expand their operations.
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When Jordan was made redundant as a head chef and La Toya as a wedding co-ordinator, they decided to focus on Blencowe’s bakery full-time and now, as well as maintaining their business in Oxfordshire, they have taken up a unit at Space Business Centre Warwick in Tachbrook Park, Warwick.
Jordan said this was an exciting new chapter to expand into Warwickshire and has given them the space to increase its product range and baking capacities.
He said: “We launched the business during lockdown through our creativity and combined skills. It was a great way to reach and connect with our community during those challenging times, which is where our ethos was formed. Spreading happiness is what we strive to do and from there it kept growing and growing!
“We needed more space than our kitchen so we refurbished our parents’ garage and turned it into a fully functioning bakery. As time has gone by, we have reached capacity.
“I was suddenly made redundant in November, which upon reflection gave me the gift of time that I wouldn’t have had if I was still working as a head chef. It has given me the opportunity to grow the business and nurture it.
“We have moved our operation from Oxfordshire to Warwick which was a big move but with the help of our family and friends we managed to complete it in just four weeks.
“The location at Space Warwick is very convenient and central. Being blessed with an empty shell to work in has been great because it has meant we have been able to expand the vision by adding our ovens, new sinks and more counter and office space to help with the greater influx in business.
“Our customer base has been very loyal and supportive over the last three years so we are continuing to maintain our business in Oxfordshire whilst now expanding into Warwickshire and beyond.
“Everything is freshly made to order and we’re now providing gourmet muffins, tray bakes and pre-packaged cakes as well as our signature cupcakes and celebration cakes.
“Our mission at Blencowe’s bakery is to spread happiness through food, one bite at a time and we strive to do this nationally.”
Space Business Centre Warwick opened in February and provides 61 units ranging from 285 sq ft to 840 sq ft, with two facilities blocks each containing a kitchen, toilets and shower room, as well as allocated parking, 12 electric car charging points and a cycle shelter.
Katherine Skerry, Site Manager at AC Lloyd Space Business Centre Warwick, said there was a diverse mix of businesses located at the 35,000 sq ft site.
“It is great that we are attracting a wide range of entrepreneurs which is already creating a real sense of community,” she said.
“Blencowe’s bakery is a perfect example of a business that was started during the pandemic and is flourishing post-Covid.
“Moving all their operations to Warwick highlights Jordan and La Toya’s determination to continue to grow the business."
