Take a look at some of the good things that are happening at Cavan Bakery

With our support, Cavan Bakery has invested in a new purpose-built site to meet growing demand. Read their story below.

Cavan Bakery's story

Founded in 1929, family-run Cavan Bakery has expanded from three sites to 13 bakery shops across South London and Surrey, as well as a café, and wholesale services to 100 customers. 

An emphasis on quality has seen orders grow but meeting the demand was a struggle, explains Jeff Greenall, Managing Director at Cavan Bakery. “We were bursting at the seams. It meant we couldn’t really take on any more business without investing in new premises.”

Finding confidence to grow

It was a big moment for the business, especially coming in the wake of the difficulties of the pandemic. “Lockdown saw us lose a considerable amount of business overnight, particularly wholesale, and our cash flow was really impacted,” says Jeff. Regrouping and focusing on the retail arm of the bakery helped the business survive and thrive. That resilience was central to the decision to invest in the future.

It was also a turning point in Cavan Bakery’s relationship with Lloyds Bank. “We’d previously interacted with the bank on a transactional basis but when you’re taking decisions on this scale you need to be financially and mentally committed and confident in your backers. Lloyds Bank said they’d support us throughout the whole process, and they did. It moved the relationship to a deeper level.”

Lloyds Bank provided a £1.5m funding package, which allowed Cavan Bakery to move into a new purpose-built facility and to invest in new machinery and bakery staff as the artisanal nature of the business means products are still largely made by hand. The move has significantly improved productivity and efficiency and provided a platform for growth. 

“The new bakery has the potential to double production, with a more effective workflow and better working conditions, which is already helping us retain and recruit staff.” 

Jeff Greenall, Owner/ Managing Director, Cavan Bakery

Sustainability focus

Located just a mile from its old bakery ensures links with the local community are maintained. This proximity is essential to Cavan Bakery’s existing sustainability profile, as the firm sources as many of its ingredients as possible from local suppliers, keeping food miles low. It also helps with waste management, with surplus food donated to local charities.

Environmental impact factored into the design of the new facility, says Jeff. “We’re a big energy user so thinking about minimising the amount of power and water we use was important from both an environmental and energy efficient standpoint.”

“Sustainability is always a topic of conversation at our meetings because it’s central to how the business operates. We’ve discussed, for example, how the Lloyds Bank Green Buildings Tool can support their plans, and we’ve seen how the business has integrated environmental and efficiency aims into the facility.” Victoria Vawdrey, Relationship Director, Lloyds Bank.

One example is the decision to invest in a new electric oven for the bakery which, Jeff explains, lowers energy use and offers more control.

With the move completed, Jeff is confident that with Lloyds Bank’s support, he can keep growing the business. “Even when, inevitably, things got tricky and costs increased, I always felt that Lloyds Bank had our best interests at heart. Knowing that the bank will support us – that’s really important.”

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Right now, good things are happening in British business

Right now, good things are happening in British business

Find out how some of our other customers have evolved their businesses, helping them to become more productive, sustainable and inclusive. 

Good things are happening

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