Cornish Bakery currently operates 55 stores across the UK | Photo credit: Cornish Bakery

UK-based Cornish Bakery has appointed Raj Manek as its first Head of Acquisitions. 
 

The bakery-café chain currently operates 55 stores across the UK, the latest of which opened in Canterbury at the start of this month. Further outlets in Norwich, Harrogate and Cheltenham are set to open before the end of October 2023. 

Manek joins Cornish Bakery from restaurant group Various Eateries, where he served as Property Director. He previously spent nearly eight years at hospitality group Loungers, first as Property Manager and then as Acquisitions Director from 2017-2021. 

“We are delighted to have Raj join us on our journey to build one of the most respected iconic brands, finding character properties in the quality towns and cities across the UK," said Steve Grocutt, Founder, Cornish Bakery.

Cornish Bakery reported strong trading during its 2021-22 financial year, covering the 12 months ended 30 April 2022. Alongside profits of £4.2m ($5m), the bakery-café chain generated ‘record’ revenues from its stores located in tourist hotspots and noted a strong sales recovery across its high street and factory outlet centres. 

The following month, Grocutt told World Coffee Portal that the business’ post-pandemic growth was being driven by coffee, which it sources from Union Hand Roasted Coffee.