An Erewash-based bakery has won an award which celebrates the best family businesses across the UK.
Stacey’s Bakery was praised for its family values, traditional recipes and commitment to the community during the pandemic when it triumphed in the best food and drink category in the Family Business United awards.
The company beat ten other entrants from around Britain in the sector award. The ceremony was held online.
Stacey's Bakery, which has branches in Ilkeston’s South Street and Bath Street, as well as Eastwood and Heanor, bakes everything by hand to recipes that have been in the family since the early 1900s.
Managing director, David Stacey said he was delighted his family business has been recognised.
He said: “This is wonderful and an honour to receive this award – for my family and the workforce – and especially after the year we have all had.
“When Covid struck, we were proud to stay committed to our community by staying open and increasing production threefold by baking bread to ensure our customers had this staple food when the supermarkets ran out.
“We made sure the elderly and vulnerable were supplied with bread with our new home delivery service and celebrated our Covid-19 heroes with a competition to win cakes.
“Our gingerbread dough for beleaguered parents struggling with home- schooling was a big hit.
“Our PR firm Poppy-PR entered us for these awards as a surprise, and it was the icing on the cake to actually win!".
Family Business United founder and awards organiser Paul Andrews said everything shouted ‘family’ about Stacey’s. He said: “The last few years have been tough for businesses and Stacey’s Bakery has really risen to the challenge.
“The judges loved that Stacey's Bakery use traditional recipes with an innovative and modern twist and have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.
“Family is at the heart of what they do and they beat some fantastic companies to win. Recognising family values is why we set up the awards.
“Family businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and these awards celebrate their contribution in terms of jobs provided, income generated and wealth created, not to forget the positive impact they have as a force for good in the communities in which they are based.”
For more information, visit www.staceys-bakery.co.uk.