Owner Aga King
New café plans are on the horizon as the North Norfolk Bistro Company in King’s Lynn has successfully increased capacity at its award-winning bakery since receiving grant support.
Owners Aga and Lewis King secured a Rural Business Capital Grant from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk in 2024. Since then, the couple has invested funding in specialist equipment for its micro bakery, reduced food prep time and added menu choices at its coffee shop ‘The Old Store’ in Snettisham.
New Anglia Growth Hub hosted by Norfolk County Council, has supported them with the grant application for the equipment which was £74,772. The grant provided 50% of this cost as a ‘cash back grant’.
With developments underway, the new equipment has increased turnover, and the café is now well prepared for a busy summer. Also, the bakery’s added capacity has given the owners confidence to open a second coffee shop based at a popular tourist spot on the North Norfolk coast. Without the increased production, opening a second café would not be possible.
At the application stage, Aga estimated that the investments would increase the number of full-time staff by six within 12 months of the completion of the grant. This has now been increased to a potential 10 additional members of staff due to the popular location of the second café.
A surprising benefit that Aga has experienced is improved employee health and safety. “Food and drink preparation is physically demanding, the team has appreciated the introduction of automated and specialist equipment that has reduced the stress and physical nature of their work.
“The grant has given us confidence to grow the business by taking on another coffee shop. It was important that we were able to grow whilst maintaining our award-winning quality and customer service,” says owner Aga.
Growth Hub Business Adviser Sally Lomax, who managed and oversaw the application, commented: “It was a pleasure to assist Aga and Lewis with their application. I visited their bakery during the application stage and was very impressed with the premises and the potential to scale up production which was key to the growth of their business.
“My job was made easy by their prompt replies to my emails and requests for documentation. I’m delighted how the equipment purchased with the help of the local council’s Rural Business Capital Grant has enabled them to grow their business so quickly.”
Having a passion for good food has won the owners several awards since opening The Old Store in 2022. A recent accolade takes it to new heights as the café is now listed in The Good Food Guide as ‘Local Gem’ and one of 50 Britain’s Best Bakeries.
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