New data reveals that the number of independent bakers has grown by 34 per cent in the last five years – but where in the UK has the highest number of bakery businesses?
The data, based on the number of insurance policies sold by Simply Business, reveals the UK’s top bakery hotspots – as well as the fastest-growing areas for budding bakers.
With another season of the Great British Bake Off hitting our screens, Brits may be craving delicious baked goods more than ever. So if you live in one of these hotspots, you may be in luck.
The Midlands takes the cake
The Midlands takes the cake as the UK’s bakery capital – home to one in seven (14 per cent) of the nation’s active bakeries.
Northern Ireland sees just 133 bakery businesses in 2024 – but this is a 90 per cent increase from its 70 bakery businesses in 2020.
Does your area have a sweet tooth? See the full list below:
- The Midlands
- East Anglia
- North East England
- North West England
- South Central England
- South East England
- Scotland
- South West England
- London
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
- Islands
Our regional data doesn’t split the Midlands and includes Yorkshire and the Humber in North East
Taking the whisk – UK’s fastest-growing bakery business hotspots
The Midlands once again tops the polls to be crowned the fastest growing bakery business hotspot in the UK.
Another rising region is Wales – which saw the highest percentage growth of new policies between 2023 and 2024, at 15 per cent.
Serena Wesley, owner of Serena’s Sweet Treats in Birmingham, is one of these bakers.
Of starting her business, she says: “I started my business after going to college and university, but had a break due to being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and having chronic widespread pain syndrome. During my break, I had two children and started baking cakes for birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions.
“My family and friends started to want baked goods too. I was having so much fun trying out new recipes and creating new sweet treats and decided that I wanted to turn it into a career. I got help from the Kings Trust who helped me turn it into a home bakery with grants.”
How to become a baker
Want to help prevent the decline of bakery businesses in the UK? If your region isn’t one of the top performers, you could always start a home bakery business yourself. Why not find a gap in the market to see if a baking business would work in your area?
Serena of Serena’s Sweet Treats has three top tips for budding bakers:
- During the stressful moments, pause what you’re making and have a breather
- Always keep trying – there will be push backs but when you overcome them, it’ll make you grow as a baker
- Enjoy it, make the most of what you do – and don’t forget to try the baked goods you make!
If you do start your own bakery business, don’t forget to sort your business insurance. Public liability insurance and product liability insurance (usually sold together) can help to cover you if you’re sued by a member of the public for injury or damage.
More guides for budding bakers
- How to start a business in 9 steps
- Ultimate side hustle guide
- How to register as self-employed
- Allergens and packaging: a guide to Natasha’s Law for food and drink businesses
Protect your cake business
As one of the UK’s biggest business insurance providers, we specialise in public liability insurance and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored home baking insurance policy?