While the COVID pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges ever faced by small businesses up and down the country – an East Kilbride firm has found the recipe for success.
Bradfords Bakers is an e-commerce company that delivers gifts such as cupcakes, hampers, balloons and afternoon teas UK and worldwide – with customers in the USA, Canada and China.
Based near the Kingsgate, the bakers had to double their team from five to 10 last year, with all items hand baked and decorated.
A surge in demand has seen a year-on year increase in business of 320 percent – a remarkable achievement in such tough times.
It highlights the importance of our ‘Back Local Support Local’ campaign which aims to encourage folk to invest in their local businesses to drive success.
Director James McGoldrick, who lives in Lindsayfield, with wife Claire and their two children, told News: “This has been such an incredibly tough year for so many that we consider ourselves extremely lucky.
“Only two per cent of businesses have seen growth and we fall into that category.
“We are a small business and my wife’s family founded the original Bradfords Bakers in 1924, with stores in Glasgow and Ayrshire.
“The stores have since closed. But in 2006, with my background in IT, we went online and moved to our current base in East Kilbride in 2014. Things had been going along nicely and then last year the pandemic and the first lockdown hit.
“We initially thought we may have to furlough the business but ended up being inundated instead – so much so that at one point we had turn away £150k worth of business because we physically just couldn’t get the stock we needed.
“Orders were coming in from people who wanted to send presents to grandchildren, mums and dads and grandparents for example to let them know they were thinking about them.
“For three or four weeks we were working with just the five of us and were run off our feet. We thought this has to end – but it didn’t and had to double out staff just to cope.
“Our products are also delivered to the EU, China, Canada and
the USA as there is a strong market with ex-pats who want a taste of home.”
They have also seen an upturn due to firms sending treats to staff working from home as a thank you, particularly over Christmas.
James went on: “Thankfully, the premises here are large so we have been able to keep everyone working safely in ‘bubbles’ in different parts of the building.
“From the beginning we have also had strict measures in place from temperature checks, masks, gloves, alcohol gel everywhere and posters to remind everyone what they need to do and it’s paid dividends as we have all been OK.”
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