Bumble & Goose named UK’s ‘Best Family Run Luxury Baker’

Bumble & Goose named UK’s ‘Best Family Run Luxury Baker’

Bumble and Goose bespoke bakehouse has been named ‘Best Family Run Luxury Bakery’ in the prestigious UK Enterprise Awards 2022.

Baker Lynsey Bleakley’s Ballyholme business was the only Northern Ireland firm listed in the annual awards which recognise outstanding achievement especially by smaller and family owned enterprises.
The artisan bakery, founded and run by Lynsey, a former nurse, is a specialist in luxury cakes and other baked products, especially brownies, biscuits and traditional traybakes for corporate and private customers. The bakery is now a popular choice for many local companies and also for businesses in Britain seeking to recognise the support of customers and staff.

The awards, according to organiser Holly Blackwood, encompass “a multitude of exciting and vibrant businesses and industries from all over the nation”.

The citation for Bumble and Goose says: “In the face of unprecedented hardship and uncertainty, UK business owners have demonstrated the upmost dedication and innovation in the ways that they have not only adapted but weathered the Covid-19 storm to ensure the survival of their businesses.

“The UK Enterprise Awards looks to honour the leading SME’s, whatever their size, across the nation.

“The UK Enterprise Awards are judged purely on merit. In order to determine worthy winners, our in-house research team carefully analyse the information that is available both online and in the public domain as well as any materials supplied by nominees. This is a fantastic achievement for Bumble and Goose and a true marker of the hard work and commitment invested day to day.”

Lynsey (46) adds: “I am thrilled, of course, to receive this important and immensely encouraging recognition from such an influential organisation. I wish to thank whoever decided to nominate my small business based on the quality of our bakes and the exceptional service we provide.”

Her personalised biscuits proved to be extremely popular as a gift particularly during the pandemic.

“Customers used our boxes to send goodwill messages to family and friends throughout the UK and other parts of Europe,” she said.

“We bake and gift box our treats for doorstep delivery across UK and Ireland as well as local delivery for cakes. We love sending out virtual hugs in the form of our delicious treats as birthday gifts. They’ve also become popular with corporate customers as wellness hampers for clients and staff. Corporate clients now account for around 50% of our order book.”

She puts the popularity of her creations down to high quality ingredients from local suppliers such as Root & Branch Coffee in Belfast and Donaghadee’s Copeland Distillery, an award winning producer of gin, whiskey and rum, in creating novel products. Other suppliers include Northern Ireland’s Dale Farm for dairy products, Neill’s Flour in Belfast and a local free range egg producer.