In the Beginning...
Hughes Family Bakers is a long-established Yorkshire bakery business with roots going back to the 1920s. Edward Hughes, a baker trained by the Co-Op in Wales, moved to Bradford to help at his uncle’s bakery ahead of his retirement. After marrying Blanche, the couple had four sons – two of whom, Malcolm and Peter, also went into the bakery business. In 1959, after working at a large local bakery, they set up their own shop and bakery on Lilycroft Road in Bradford.
The Next Generation
Having set up their shop in the late 1950s, Malcolm Hughes, his wife Janet, and Malcolm’s brother Peter opened up and ran several shops that they supplied from their bakery. Hughes Bakery had started building their name, serving local communities around Bradford and Shipley.
Hughes Bakery expanded in 1975 when the family moved the bakery to Girlington. This ‘satellite bakery’ allowed the company to move into wholesale supply as well as supplying their own shops – which had now increased to seven.
The Move to Wholesale
Over the following decades, Hughes Bakery continued to expand their wider wholesale business across Yorkshire. Alison, another Hughes family member, had also joined the company. Despite the growth, the bakery retained traditional production methods, with many products still handmade in a craft-bakery style.
In 2000 the bakery moved again to its current location in Hirst Wood, just outside the world famous village of Saltaire – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The retail shops gradually closed or were sold so the company could focus solely on its regional, wholesale business. In 2017, three new directors – Ian, John, and Colin – were brought into the company with Malcolm selling his shares in 2019 bringing his era to an end.
Investment and Expansion
In 2018, Hughes Bakery secured a £600,000 loan from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund to expand production capacity and modernise operations. The investment was to help the company scale up for larger supermarket contracts while still maintaining its artisan reputation. With the funding in place, and both production and operations improved, the bakery and its business continued to expand.
Present Day
Having successfully evolved over the years into a well-regarded regional wholesale bakery operation, Hughes Bakery now supplies many major customers including Co-Op and Asda, as well as a number of independent local retailers, and the wider Food Service sector. Being SALSA Accredited has also opened the door into supplying a wide range of retailers. The company is still based in Hirst Wood and specialises in rolls and fresh creams as well as other confectionery items.
Hughes Family Bakers has become one of the last large traditional family bakeries still operating from the Bradford area. The company has continued supplying both independent shops and supermarkets across Yorkshire while maintaining its emphasis on traditional baking methods.