New data reveals that the number of independent bakers has grown by 23% in just one year – but where in the UK has the highest number of bakery businesses?
The data, based on all new Simply Business home baking insurance policies taken out in 2024 and 2025, reveals the UK’s 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.
East Anglia takes the cake
East Anglia takes the cake as the UK’s home baking capital – seeing a 50% increase in home baking businesses between 2023 and 2024.
Does your area have a sweet tooth? See the full list below:
- East Anglia
- North West England
- The Midlands
- North East England
- London
- South Central England
- Wales
- Scotland
- South West England
- South East England
- Northern Ireland
- Islands
Simply Business regional data doesn’t split the Midlands and includes Yorkshire and the Humber in North East
Taking the whisk – UK’s fastest-growing home baking business hotspots
North West England tops the polls to be crowned the fastest growing home baking business hotspot in the UK, based on the total number of Simply Business home baking policies in 2025.
Meanwhile last year’s fastest growing region, The Midlands, is now in third place.
Serena Wesley, owner of Serena’s Sweet Treats in Birmingham, is one of these bakers in the Midlands.
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!
Insure your home baking business
If you do start your own bakery business, don’t forget to sort your business insurance. Public liability insurance and product liability insurance (some insurers group these together) can help to cover you if you’re sued by a member of the public for injury or damage.
Promotion
Methodology: Simply Business analysed policies that were trading less than a year in 2024 and 2025 to find the fastest growing sectors.
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?