Cavan Bakery

Read time: 2 mins Added date: 06/09/2024

Having banked with us for 95 years; Cavan Bakery has now invested in a new purpose-built site to help meet growing demand. This investment aims to enhance productivity, sustainability and community ties. With our support, the bakery is well equipped to continue its growth and success.

Cavan Bakery’s story

Established in 1929 by David Cavan, the family-run Cavan Bakery has grown significantly over the years. The relationship with Lloyds Bank has seen the business expand from 3 locations to 15 shops across South London and Surrey. The bakery also provides wholesale services to over 100 customers and now employs more than 160 people.

With an emphasis on quality, taste, pride and passion, orders began to increase. But meeting the demand was a struggle, explains Jeff Greenall, Owner of Cavan Bakery. “We were at maximum capacity. It meant we couldn’t really take on any more business without investing in new premises.”

Finding confidence to grow

It was a big moment for the business, especially coming in the wake of the difficulties of the pandemic. “Lockdown saw us lose a considerable amount of business overnight, particularly wholesale, and our cash flow was really affected,” says Jeff.

Regrouping and focusing on the retail arm of the bakery helped the business survive and thrive. That resilience was central to the decision to invest in the future.

It was also a turning point in Cavan Bakery’s relationship with Lloyds Bank. “We’d previously interacted with the bank on a transactional basis but when you’re taking decisions on this scale you need to be financially and mentally committed and confident in your backers. Lloyds Bank said they’d support us throughout the whole process, and they did. It moved the relationship to a deeper level.”

With our £1.5 million funding package, the business was able to move into a new purpose-built facility and invest in new machinery. And, as the artisanal nature of the bakery means products are still largely made by hand, they were also able to take on new staff too. The move has significantly improved productivity and efficiency, providing a platform for growth.

Sustainability focus

Located just a mile from its old premises, the new bakery maintains strong community ties. This proximity supports their sustainability efforts, sourcing ingredients locally and donating surplus goods to community kitchens, food banks and shelters.

The environmental impact factored into the design of the new facility, says Jeff. “We’re a big energy user so thinking about minimising the amount of power and water we use was important from both an environmental and energy-efficient standpoint.”

One example is the decision to invest in a new electric oven that lowers energy use and offers more control. With the move completed, Jeff is confident that with Lloyds Bank’s support, he can keep growing the business. “Even when, inevitably, things got tricky and costs increased, I always felt that Lloyds Bank had our best interests at heart. Knowing that the bank will support us – that’s really important.”