Cornish Bakery launches new workplace mission amid 24% sales rise

Cornish Bakery has launched a new workplace initiative aimed at improving staff development and culture across its UK sites, as it reported a 24% rise in total sales year-on-year. 

The independent chain of 70 bakeries, which employs more than 800 people, credited its people-first approach for sustained growth and said four additional bakeries are due to open before the end of the year.

Titled ‘Change Hospitality for Good’, the new programme launch is said to reflect Cornish Bakery’s commitment to creating “a world-class place to work”.

Mat Finch, managing director of Cornish Bakery, said: “Our team tells us that our culture is a big part of why they work for Cornish Bakery. As we grow, we need even more people to lead and role-model that culture, developing great careers in hospitality.

“While many businesses in the sector are cutting back on people and leaning into automation, we are proud to be taking a different route, keeping our teams at the heart of the bakery experience.”

The group saw its like-for-like sales rise 8% in August, with the August Bank Holiday marking its strongest week of trading to date, despite the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reporting weaker retail spending nationally.

The company has also achieved its highest-ever employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) of 45, more than double the previous year, and said that 67% of management appointments were made internally over the past 12 months.

Staff benefits include an extra day off for birthdays, private healthcare, quarterly performance rewards and a share scheme after two years’ service. Teams are encouraged to pitch ideas in weekly “Dragon’s Den” sessions and run local events such as live music and fundraising activities.

Finch added: “We plan to drive even better team engagement, promoting more team members to manager roles and developing lifelong careers. Fundamentally, we strive to be ranked as a world-class place to work.”