Cooplands ramps up its bread production
THE FAMILY-RUN bakery chain Cooplands has increased its bread production and started providing deliveries across Yorkshire, with the support of Lloyds Bank.
The 135-year-old business, which operates a network of 172 bakery shops and cafes across the North, said it was determined to support families during the pandemic.
A spokesman said: “To ensure local residents can receive food items – including essential items not typically stocked by Cooplands – the business is now distributing food packages to customers within 10 to 15 miles of its three main production sites in Durham, Hull and Scarborough.
“The business has been able to pivot its operations to serve community need with the full support of Lloyds Bank after it secured a flexible funding facility from the lender. The business has also increased bread production at its three main production facilities to meet demand.”
Belinda Youngs, chief executive at Cooplands, said: “We have a long history as a communityfocused business, bringing local produce and baked goods to families.
“Our ambition is to put bread and other staples on the table during these challenging times and it’s only possible for us to react to changing market conditions as quickly as we have with confidence in the support of our bank.”
Ms Youngs added: “While we have regrettably had to furlough some employees associated with our cafes, mobile food vans and city centre shops that don’t serve residential communities, the new funding will ultimately preserve those jobs in the long term.”