Award-Winning Craft Bakery

Established in 1993 when the founders, husband and wife team Colin and Karen McArthur, saw a niche for an outlet that could provide local consumers with a daily fresh traditional bakery range, Ashers Bakery Company has grown from humble beginnings to an organisation the supplies not only its own chain of bakeries with a wide range of baked goods, but also grocery stores and food service operations throughout Co. Antrim and Co. Down.

Consequently, although the industry has lost many craft bakers over the last few years, Ashers Bakery Company retains its position as one of the best in Northern Ireland, committed to providing its customers with exactly the products they want … and with a level of customer service that has set a benchmark.

The company’s quality and service have not gone unnoticed either, with Ashers Bakery Company having picked up a number of awards over the years, including the No.1 Award Winning Baker, as well as the Sunflower Cup for sausage rolls and prizes for its fruit loaf, pancakes and apple tarts. Recently, Director Colin McArthur won Business Person of the Year 2010 at Newtownabbey Business Awards.

Famous for its sausage rolls, fruit bracks, toasting muffins, plain/nutty loaves, traditional farls, fresh cream and cupcakes, and not forgetting its incredibly popular celebration cakes, Ashers Bakery Company is looking to grow the business on all fronts, including its online business, the expansion of its bakery chain, and an increasing number of export opportunities. Indeed, the company recently launched a new website under the banner of ‘Buildacake’ (www.buildacake.co), which is an exceptionally unique concept. For here anyone can design and build their very own hand-made cake, and can even upload their favorite picture onto the cake – all from the comfort of their home or desk at work via the internet! And once this masterpiece has been created, customers can either arrange to have it collected at one of the company’s bakery outlets or have it delivered anywhere throughout the UK and Ireland.

Furthermore, as well as the fun section, there is even quick order version which allows customers to order in a rush. And if all that were not enough, via the corporate website (www.ashersbakingco.com) customers can order mini and large hampers which can be sent to a friend or relative for a special treat or occasion.

With a new franchise bakery in Abbeycentre, Newtownabbey, enjoying incredible success, there is no doubt that there is a considerable market for high quality, handcrafted products; which goes a long way to explain why an initial ‘idea’ has blossomed into a growing business with around 70 staff, a 10,000ft2 a state-of-the-art production facility and a fleet of nine modern and well-maintained vans.