The number of UK bakery retail businesses has grown 5% in the past year, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.
The number of bakers trading in March this year stood at 3,280 stores -150 more year-on-year. The number of bakery manufacturers was also up, with an additional 160, or 7.8% trading, bringing the total to 2,065.
Like last year, London has the greatest number of bakery businesses with 485, followed by 410 in the Northwest and 375 in the Southeast.
The surge in numbers comes despite high profile casualties in the sector over the year such as Northeast-based bakers Peter’s which went into administration in June before being rescued by Coopland and Son.
