A Muir of Ord bakery is expanding production and creating new jobs following a move to bigger premises.
Bad Girl Bakery (BGB), which supplies fresh, handmade cakes for wholesale and retail, is expected to add five staff to its workforce over the next two years and grow turnover to more than £1 million.
The firm started as a sole-trading home-based business five years ago, with backing from Highland Council’s loan fund.
In 2017 – after being awarded a contract to supply the Caledonian Sleeper – it moved to new premises and opened a cafe and bakery, with further support.
It became a supplier to the National Trust for Scotland that year, introduced a mobile service and, with more support from the council, expanded into a vacant shop next door.
Running close to capacity, the bakery recently secured £11,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and further support from the local authority towards the cost of further expansion. The funding has helped fit out additional premises in the Muir of Ord Industrial Estate with new upgraded equipment.
The business is run by directors Douglas Hardie and Jeni Iannetta.
Mr Hardie said: “We’re delighted to have expanded our wholesale operation.
“Without funding from HIE and Highland Council we would not have been able to meet the increased demand for our products. The new wholesale bakery has allowed us to increase output and efficiency, and develop our product range.”