A New Artisan Bakery in Nuneaton Makes a Positive Impact
A new artisan bakery in Nuneaton is all set to open its doors to the public and give young people the chance to make a fresh start as well as fresh treats.
The Bakery, on Harefield Road, has been months in the making and represents the latest social enterprise project from the Positive Impact for Young People CIC.
It will open on Saturday, August 25 after the huge success of the group’s bakery at the Stockingford Community Centre led to the need for expansion.
The project now has the backing of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub, which has already helped the team at The Bakery secure orders from local businesses.
The Bakery will be staffed by young people who are not engaged with work, education or training, giving them a chance to learn transferrable skills in a real working environment.
Craig Sweeney, managing director at the Positive Impact for Young People CIC, said: “This is a huge step forward for us as an organisation and personally for all of those who are going to be working with The Bakery.
“It isn’t just staff facing the public or working with food, we are also looking to create administration roles, a marketing team and more all made up of young people who are looking for a fresh challenge.
“I have been in that situation myself and I know that this will be life changing for those involved.
“For the public and companies in the area, we can offer the freshest artisan breads, cakes and pastries and bring something new and exciting to the area.”
Positive Impact for Young People CIC was established in 2017 to tackle social exclusion by supporting vulnerable young people aged 11-19 who are disengaged from Education, Employment or Training from Nuneaton, North Warwickshire and the surrounding areas.
The organisation has now struck up a relationship with Gary Thyeson at the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub, who will be helping The Bakery and other Positive Impact for Young People projects.
The CWLEP Growth Hub is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and has a team of dedicated account managers who help businesses on the right path towards growth, whether that is through funding, networking opportunities or advice.
He said: “The Bakery is a unique project with a lot of potential to help young people and it is something I am proud to be supporting.
“We can offer assistance to not-for-profit projects like this at the Growth Hub through our extensive business contacts and the fact that this project has already grown from being located in a community centre to having its own premises proves there is still more that can be done.”
The local council has also thrown its support behind the project.
Councillor Julie Jackson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said: “This is a really inspiring project a wonderful addition to Nuneaton town centre.
“The Borough Council is pleased to be able to work with the Growth Hub to offer support and advice.
“I hope the venture is a great success and look forward to trying the specialist breads on offer.”
