Loan helps bakery buyout

A Preston bakery and confectioner is under new ownership with the help of Lancashire Community Finance, safeguarding and creating a total of eight jobs.

Robert D’Orville bought SD Berry Bakery on New Hall Lane with the help of a £25,000 loan from Lancashire Community Finance. The bakery, which bakes and sells bread, cakes, pies, pasties and sandwiches, has recently taken on a fourth new baker to meet demand, bringing total staff to eight.

Mr D’Orville said: “With over 9 years’ bakery experience working in similar businesses in Chorley and Blackburn, I was dying to set something up on my own. I saw the opportunity had come up to buy this business as a result of the previous owner retiring. With the loan from Lancashire Community Finance I was able to meet the asking price and I’m pleased to say the business is now thriving – so much so we have just had to take on a new baker.

“I would urge anyone seeking to set up a new business to talk to Lancashire Community Finance about any funding needs as I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Lancashire Community Finance provides personal loans, business start-up loans and home improvement loans to provide a better alternative to high cost lenders and finance schemes.

Start Up Loans officer Ian Ashworth said: “As the local delivery partner for Start Up Loans, a Government backed national initiative aimed at ambitious people who want to start their own business, we can offer business start-ups loans from as little as £250 to be paid back within 1-5 years at 6.0% PA fixed with no arrangement fees. Applicants don’t just get financial help, they also get business support, with all successful loan applicants provided with a business mentor to help guide them on their path to success.

“We are so pleased to see Robert’s business is already thriving and taking on staff, all of which puts something back into the local economy as well as helping Robert achieve his dream.” For further information go to www.lancashirecommunityfinance.co.uk, call 0344 5611292 or call into the company’s offices near the Corn Exchange pub on Fleet Street, Preston.