Blackpool Growth Business Academy helps Beurre rise to success

Following making Channel 4’s Bake Off final in 2023, master pâtissier Rafael (Raf) Perussi enlisted expert guidance from the Blackpool Growth Business Academy to open his own patisserie, Beurre, on the Fylde Coast.  

Spotting a gap in the market for a dedicated patisserie in Blackpool, Raf teamed up with business partner Connor Westbrook to launch Beurre.

Raf said: “Pastry chefs are increasingly becoming a valuable luxury that many restaurants strive to afford. We don’t have any patisseries around us – let’s open one.”

Despite Raf’s training at Le Cordon Bleu and his experience in some of London’s top restaurants, running a business was a new challenge to them both.

They started work on a business plan and market research, but soon realised they needed expert guidance.

They turned to the Blackpool Growth Business Academy, where growth specialist John Townsend helped them shape their vision into a strategic business plan.

Over 12 months, the Academy have supported Raf and Connor with workshops and 1-2-1 support, covering everything from financial forecasting and funding options to marketing and social media.

Raf said: "Being able to sit down with John and go through costs, margins, and profitability has been invaluable."

Beyond the figures, they tackled recruitment, wages, health and safety, accounts, customer service, and allergens. With John’s guidance, they navigated employer responsibilities, contracts, pensions, and regulations, which was everything they needed to build a solid foundation.

Since launching their Fylde Coast shop, Beurre has proved an enormous success. Initial plans to hire one member of staff by the end of year one has been revised multiple times, as they now have a team of nine, and Connor has joined full-time.

Raf and Connor are already exploring expansion opportunities, including events and wholesale partnerships with local businesses.

With their business growing faster than expected, Raf and Connor are turning once again to the Blackpool Growth Business Academy to help refine their next steps.

Raf said: “They're fantastic business advisors and they're willing to give up their time to talk you through everything step by step.

"I think it’s so important to use that resource."

Beurre’s journey is just one example of how the expert support from the Blackpool Growth Business Academy can elevate, grow and scale a business.

For help growing and scaling your Blackpool based business talk to the Blackpool Growth Business Academy team here.