The UK's leading bakery brand, Warburtons, has announced a major £100m investment to mark its 150th birthday, with the aim of setting the business up for long-term growth. It includes the acquisition of the former Rathbones bakery site in Wakefield, as well as investing in new distribution capacity. Additionally, it is investing in doubling the size of the Gluten-Free facility and in three new bakery production lines within its current estate.

A deal has been finalised with the Myton Food Group to acquire the land, buildings, and all machinery at the former Rathbones bakery site for an undisclosed sum. It has announced it will invest in developing the currently closed site to produce Warburtons-branded products. The site, which will become the 13th in the Warburtons family of bakeries, has been bought to support the growing consumer demand for the brand’s high-quality bakery products and to support future innovation. More than 40 jobs will initially be created across manufacturing, warehouse and distribution.

The new site is expected to be fully operational in September. Chairman, Jonathan Warburton commented: "We’re extremely pleased to have agreed a deal on the former Rathbones site and look forward to welcoming new colleagues to the business very soon.

"Our family business takes a long-term approach, investing in our infrastructure to ensure we not only meet consumer needs today, but are set up to do so for the future."

Warburtons is also investing in the development of a state-of-the-art gluten-free bakery in Newburn. Additionally, it's investing in a new distribution centre at Biggleswade, which will support its wider bakery and depot network to deliver over 2 million products to over 18,500 stores each day.

The chain said demand for crumpets and pancakes has been growing. Therefore, it has invested in a new pancake line at its Bolton bakery and two new crumpet lines at its bakery in Burnley.

The company currently employs over 5,000 people at its 12 bakeries and 18 depots across Great Britain. Presently, it has 12 bakeries and 18 depots around the UK.

According to the iconic bakery brand, it holds 20% market share, and produces over 70 different products from wrapped loaves to crumpets, pittas, rolls and bagels.