Cardiff independent bakery Pettigrew Bakeries will be expanding its brand across the capital as it merges with a fellow artisan bakery.
The much loved bakery - which is based in Victoria Park and operates well-known Pettigrew Tearooms in Bute Park - has merged with Friends in Knead.
The deal, which was completed by Loosemore Solicitors, will increase Pettigrew's capacity and allow it to extend its offering to wholesale customers around the city.
The bakery will also open three new sites as part of the merger including Friends in Knead's outlets on Moy Road in Roath and in Newport Market which will come under the Pettigrew brand.
The current Friends in Knead unit in Castle Arcade will become a stand-alone showcase for Pettigrew's range of patisserie and artisan entremets collection.
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Staff from both businesses will also continue under the Pettigrew name, and Friends in Knead founder, Ceri Bower, will join the team in a new role after returning from maternity leave next year.
Both bakeries have attracted their own cult followings over years, and in the coming weeks and months Pettigrew said customers will see an increase in products available.
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Pettigrew founder David Le Masurier said: “We are so excited to welcome the Friends in Knead team into the Pettigrew family, and for what this means for all of our staff. We have an opportunity to share skills, increase our product range, and expand the business in ways we didn’t think possible until now.”
He added: "We have always been passionate about Real Bread, made from scratch every day - and now we have found a way to create the capacity we need to start offering our Cardiff-made, specialist products to other independent cafes, restaurants and delis around the city. We know how much care our local chefs put into their food, and now they’ll be able to get the quality bread to match.”
In February, Mr Le Masurier had originally announced his intention to sell well-known Pettigrew Tearooms in Bute Park to continue the bakery side of the business. However, he said, by taking on the Friends in Knead team, he no longer needs to choose between the tearoom and the bakery.
“I had reached a point where I knew we needed to grow the bakery business, but I just couldn’t find the time to make it happen – and that’s why I felt I would have to step away from the tearoom, just so that I could focus on one thing at a time," said Mr Le Masurier.
"Being able to take on Ceri’s team of bakers has taken that obstacle away, and I am really pleased to say that the Pettigrew Tea Rooms will absolutely be staying as part of the Pettigrew family," he added.
Ms Bower said: "Dave and I have been friends for years, leaning on each other for support through all the ups and downs of running your own business. It is invaluable having a sounding board who uniquely understands the pressures of being a baker whilst also running a busy, fully independent artisan bakery. We are both really excited for what comes next."