Pettigrew Bakeries expands to three more Cardiff sites as it merges with Friends in Knead

Leading Cardiff indie bakery, Pettigrew Bakeries, is to expand its offering in the capital as it merges with fellow family-run business, Friends in Knead. As part of the merger, Friends in Knead outlets on Moy Road in Roath, and at Newport Market, will slowly switch over to Pettigrew branding and over the coming weeks and months, customers will see an increase in the range of bakes available, with more choice than ever before.

Meanwhile, the current Friends in Knead unit in Castle Arcade will become a stand-alone showcase for Pettigrew’s growing range of patisserie and their artisan entremet collection. This offering has become a core part of the bakery business since Bake Off: The Professionals 2021 winner Michael Coggan joined the team last year.

The new Pettigrew outlets will stand alongside the original bakery in Victoria Park and the Bute Park tearooms, which had initially been up for sale, but will now remain in the Pettigrew fold. Also, Friends in Knead founder, Ceri Bower, will also be joining the team in a new role when she returns from maternity leave next year.

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Pettigrew founder David Le Masurier said “We are so excited to welcome the Friends in Knead team into the Pettigrew family, and for what this means for all of our staff. We have an opportunity to share skills, increase our product range, and expand the business in ways we didn’t think possible until now.”

David continued: “We have always been passionate about Real Bread, made from scratch every day – and now we have found a way to create the capacity we need to start offering our Cardiff-made, specialist products to other independent cafes, restaurants and delis around the city. We know how much care our local chefs put into their food, and now they’ll be able to get the quality bread to match.”



David has decided to keep the Pettigrew Tearooms in the family

And by taking on the Friends in Knead team, he says that he no longer feels as if he has to choose between the tearoom and the bakery. He explained: “I had reached a point where I knew we needed to grow the bakery business, but I just couldn’t find the time to make it happen – and that’s why I felt I would have to step away from the tearoom, just so that I could focus on one thing at a time.

“Being able to take on Ceri’s team of bakers has taken that obstacle away, and I am really pleased to say that the Pettigrew Tea Rooms will absolutely be staying as part of the Pettigrew family.”

Ceri Bower added:Dave and I have been friends for years, leaning on each other for support through all the ups and downs of running your own business. It is invaluable having a sounding board who uniquely understands the pressures of being a baker whilst also running a busy, fully independent artisan bakery. We are both really excited for what comes next.”

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