Bakery giant Warburtons has announced its strategic acquisition of the Roberts Bakery site in Ilkeston. This move is aimed at meeting the increasing demand for baked goods and supporting the company’s future growth.
A spokesperson for Warburtons stated:
“To support the future growth of Warburtons, we have purchased the Roberts Bakery site in Ilkeston. This will provide us with further capacity to meet demand in a growing segment of the bakery market. We have enjoyed a positive relationship with the Roberts family for many years and wish them all the best for the future.”
This development follows the recent news that Roberts Bakery’s parent company, Frank Roberts & Sons Ltd, was saved from administration by Boparan Private Office, a private investment enterprise owned by entrepreneur Ranjit Singh Boparan. This successful acquisition secures over 400 jobs, showcasing the positive impact of the investment.
Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd will now join the Boparan Private Office portfolio, enhancing its operational capabilities. Earlier this month, Roberts Bakery issued a Notice of Intention to appoint administrators, highlighting the financial challenges it faced.
In an earlier announcement, Roberts Bakery noted plans to close the Ilkeston site, indicating that it was “no longer aligned” with the firm’s future objectives. This site specialized in gourmet bread and morning goods, jeopardizing 38 jobs in the process.
Moreover, the company plans to cut 250 jobs from its Northwich facility, which suffered from a devastating fire in June 2023. The bakery has struggled to restore sales volumes to pre-fire levels, as numerous customers have switched to alternative suppliers.
Earlier this year, it was also revealed that Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman would feature in a new TV advert for Warburtons. In the two-minute commercial titled ‘The Inspection’, Colman evaluates whether Warburtons crumpets deserve ‘National Treasure’ status, further solidifying the brand’s presence in the market.
