Award winning Nevis Bakery products famous across the West Highlands are soon to be enjoyed widely throughout the UK as the family run business expands.

The Fort William firm, which has been making high quality bread, cakes and pastries for almost 30 years from the shores of Loch Linnhe, has officially opened its new £300,000 premises next door to its previous factory at Annat.

The business, working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), had identified a range of potential markets but knew that to meet demand it would have to expand its building and equipment. The development agency supported the ambitious project with almost £70,000.

Nevis Bakery has a 30-strong workforce and the support has enabled the company to upgrade to new premises and it is already working on UK wide orders for a new range of premium biscuits, shortbread and loaf cakes.

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Nevis Bakery was set up in 1981 by Archie and Hazel Paterson.

Archie said: "These new facilities are already making a difference to the way we do business and we are working on a number of contracts which we would not have been able to consider before. The new equipment is making us even more efficient and offers us increased flexibility to look at new product lines."

Last year, Nevis Bakery won a prestigious Great Taste Award. The bakery was presented with a coveted three star Gold Great Taste Award and the Scottish Speciality regional award, sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink, for its Demerara Shortbread.

Nevis Bakery is a one of 350 growing businesses and social enterprises from across the region which HIE has been building an on-going client relationship with over the past two years. The aim is to create development plans which will have positive outcomes for businesses and their communities. The closer working relationship and shared goals mean that HIE support can flow from the needs of the business.

Helen Cameron, account manager at HIE said: "HIE is delighted to be working closely with Nevis Bakery on its growth plans for the future. It is an excellent example of a successful local business, well respected by industry, which has looked at how it can build on its own achievements. The business is an important employer in Lochaber and will be well placed to increase production as a result of this expansion."

(GK)