A baker in Naunton Beauchamp has received a grant to expand her business.

Tina Hawkes of Eat Your Crusts Ltd, renowned for their sourdough breads, baguettes, cakes and scones, has received £3,692 from the
Wychavon Rural Fund.

The grant has been utilised to purchase a larger commercial fridge and bread oven, enabling Ms Hawkes to double the bread production and broaden the range of treats she offers.

The business began its journey in 2019 after Ms Hawkes pursued a vocation that would facilitate a balance between work and raising her family.

Ms Hawkes said: "From a child, I have always been in the kitchen and loved baking and when the children were younger, we were always making things.

"I didn’t want to go back into an office, I needed something where I could be at home.

"I took a couple of bread-making courses and loved it and thought this is it.

"I'm grateful for Wychavon’s support as the new equipment has allowed me to increase my production."

Presently, the skilled baker manages to whip up around 40 loaves a week, along with sweet baked items, and sells them at craft fayres, events and online on her Instagram page, @eat_your_crusts_ltd.

Cllr Paul Middlebrough, who is responsible for town and rural vitality on Wychavon District Council, said: "I’m delighted we have been able to support Tina with the next stage of Eat Your Crusts' growth.

"Supporting businesses like this helps ensure we have a diverse and thriving local economy."

The Wychavon Rural Fund is drawn from the council’s allocation of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Its goal is to aid micro and small businesses in rural locations with capital grants to overcome growth obstacles.

The businesses must foot at least 50 per cent of the total project cost when they obtain the grant.

For more information, visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/rural-fund.

For those who are looking at picking or stocking up Eat Your Crusts’ bread, they are advised to email hawkes.tina@gmail.com for more details.