Merger sees bakery brand expand in city
LEADING Cardiff indie bakery Pettigrew Bakeries is to expand its offering in the capital as it merges with fellow family-run business, Friends in Knead.
As part of the merger, Friends in Knead outlets on Moy Road in Roath, and at Newport Market, will slowly switch over to Pettigrew branding and, over the coming weeks and months, customers will see an increase in the range of bakes available.
Meanwhile, the current Friends in Knead unit in Castle Arcade will become a stand-alone showcase for Pettigrew’s growing range of patisserie and artisan entremet collection.
This offering has become a core part of the bakery business since Bake Off: The Professionals 2021 winner Michael Coggan joined the team last year.
The new Pettigrew outlets will stand alongside the original bakery in Victoria Park and the Bute Park tearooms, which had initially been up for sale, but will now remain in the Pettigrew fold.
Also, Friends in Knead founder, Ceri Bower, will also be joining the team in a new role when she returns from maternity leave next year.
Pettigrew founder David Le Masurier said: “We are so excited to welcome the Friends in Knead team into the Pettigrew family, and for what this means for all of our staff.
“We have an opportunity to share skills, increase our product range, and expand the business in ways we didn’t think possible until now.”
David added: “We have always been passionate about real bread, made from scratch every day – and now we have found a way to create the capacity we need to start offering our Cardiff-made, specialist products to other independent cafes, restaurants and delis around the city.
“We know how much care our local chefs put into their food, and now they’ll be able to get the quality bread to match.”
And by taking on the Friends in Knead team, he says that he no longer feels as if he has to choose between the tearoom and the bakery.
Ceri said: “Dave and I have been friends for years, leaning on each other for support through all the ups and downs of running your own business.
“We are both really excited for what comes next.”