With the tent already heating up in the 10th series of the hit Channel 4 baking show, a survey has shown a 48% rise in baking enthusiasts opening their own patisserie-inspired ventures.
With an average of 9.3million Brits tuning in for each episode last year, a survey of 6,415 independent bakeries and cake makers by small business insurer – Simply Business – reveals a 25% rise in the number of bakeries popping up nation-wide last year alone.
And, this trend is not crumbling any time soon with the number consistently rising year-on-year across the three-year period.
It seems that more and more Brits are bucking the baking trend and turning their kitchen showstoppers into a successful business.
Bea Montoya, Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business, said: “The Great British Bake Off is one of the most anticipated shows in the UK television calendar and it’s inspired thousands of bakers across the nation to rise up and start their own independent business.”
The South West has seen the fastest growth (34%) across the three-year period, closely followed by Wales and Scotland (29%).
However, it was the North West which came out as the star bakers – with a total number of 866 independently owned bakeries in the region, closely followed by the North East with 858.
Bea Montoya said of the rising national trend: “Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, so the fact that so many aspiring bakers and pastry makers are making the leap is extremely encouraging.”
Women are more likely to start a new baking business, the survey revealed. They topped men as the ultimate baking entrepreneurs – opening 38% baking business’ than their male counterpart last year alone.
With the Bake Off set to continue on our screens, the growth in small baking ventures is showing no signs of crumbling any time soon.
Image courtesy of Channel 4 via YouTube, with thanks.
