Helensburgh bakery on a roll with launch of third outlet

About the business

The Ginger Breadman, an established Argyll and Bute bakery, are raising the bar in Helensburgh, with the launch of their third premises following support from the Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme, funded by Argyll and Bute Council and the European Regional Development Fund.

The bakery, which is run by local Martin Rippon, was launched in June 2013 in Dunbartonshire in a converted church and sold scones and traybakes using only a domestic cooker.

Since relocating to Helensburgh in October 2015, the business has continued to expand rapidly and now specialises in artisan sourdough breads, cakes, deli sandwiches and pastries. Their significant growth has resulted in the requirement for additional premises to service both the bakehouse, located in Helensburgh, and the catering business which supplies baked goods for local hotels, restaurants and retail outlets across the central belt.

How Business Gateway has helped

Martin, owner of The Ginger Breadman, said: “I approached Business Gateway as while I had the passion, I had never baked goods in a commercial capacity. However, with their support, I decided to take the plunge and open a small bakehouse and it’s just snowballed since then. We’ve gone from baking six loaves a day to over 1000 a week.

“Business Gateway has been an excellent partner since I started my business, helping me with the early stages of my business plan and providing a range of workshops that we were able to take advantage of. This relationship has only grown as The Ginger Breadman relocated from Dunbartonshire to Helensburgh. Their support let me employ additional staff, including a trained and qualified pâtissier chef through grant funding, and purchase equipment that has furnished our second outlet.”

The business has since grown from one full-time member of staff to nine employees, including two apprentices and supplies local businesses in Loch Lomond and Helensburgh. Martin, who gained his SVQ Level II Craft Bakery Skills while on the job, is an active member of Scottish Bakers and works with them to deliver his apprenticeship training.

The Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme is funded by Argyll and Bute Council and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-20 Structural Funds Programme, with a total programme value of £855,239.