A year of sweet success: Celebrating a remarkable year at Original Biscuit Bakers

Over the past couple of weeks at Original Biscuit Bakers we have been taking a moment to reflect on the extraordinary year of milestones, achievements, and unforgettable moments that we celebrated in 2024. Renowned for our delightful hand-iced gingerbread biscuits, we are proud to continue to bring smiles to faces with our artisanal creations. This year has been one of continued growth, innovation and community engagement – as well as a true testament to the passion and dedication of our talented team.

Baking up big numbers

This year, our ovens were busier than ever, producing an impressive 3,686,460 gingerbread biscuits, weighing a staggering 185 tonnes! Fun fact… did you know that we used 1,655 kilograms of ginger, 91,283 kilograms of flour, and 16,297 kilograms of syrup to craft our delicious treats. These ingredients come together with the artistry of our decorators to create biscuits that are as stunning as they are tasty.

Our product range reached new heights in 2024, with 94 unique vibrant designs delighting our customers. Among these, 36 were brand-new or bespoke creations, reflecting our dedication to innovation and continuous product development. Unsurprisingly, our Assorted Deluxe Farm collection emerged as the year’s most ordered design, winning hearts with its charming appeal.

Expanding our reach

We welcomed 71 new stockists to our network this year, bringing the total to 267 farm shops, cafes, visitor attractions, delicatessens as well as local and national retailers who proudly showcase our gingerbread creations. Not only did we expand our footprint across the UK, but we also sent orders across seas into Europe, demonstrating the universal appeal of our creations.

Our workforce grew significantly as well, with 22 new employees joining our friendly team, bringing us to a total of 75 dedicated staff members. Their skills and enthusiasm have been further instrumental in driving our success.

Investing in innovation

This year saw significant advancements in our operations, including the installation of a new oven, guillotine (for cutting our sugar paste), card feeder, and over-labeller. These upgrades have enhanced productivity and reduced waste, aligning with our commitment to efficiency.

Recognition and accolades

We were honoured with several accolades this year. Three of our team members celebrated 10 years of dedicated service, a testament to the family-like culture we nurture at Original Biscuit Bakers. We also achieved BRC AA Grade accreditation, reaffirming our commitment to the highest standards of food safety and quality.

Another highlight was filming with the BBC for an exciting new television series set to air soon – a proud moment for our entire team! Additionally, our biscuits continued to receive glowing reviews, with the majority of customers awarding us a five-star rating.

Community and charity

Our community involvement remained a cornerstone of our ethos. At the Ginger and Spice Festival, we sponsored the Gingerbread Heritage Trail and supported various activities, including the children’s gingerbread decorating session, which brought joy to families. In 2024 we also sponsored the local Market Drayton Cycling Club and donated biscuits to Hope House Children’s Hospices. Through fundraising efforts, we also raised £2,400 for the Buddy Bag Foundation, which supports children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations by providing essential items.

A royal seal of approval

One of the year’s standout moments was being able to welcome His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester to our gingerbread bakery. Accompanied by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, and Deputy Lieutenant Nichola Peers, this special visit gave us the opportunity to share the blend of tradition and innovation that makes our gingerbread creations so unique. During the tour, led by our Managing Director Gemma Williams, The Duke explored our bakery and witnessed the dedication behind our hand-decorated gingerbread biscuits and cutting-edge production techniques. 

Looking ahead

As we step into 2025, we have ambitious plans to continue delighting our customers. These include collaborating with new retailers to bring fresh designs to market, expanding our sugar cookie range, and introducing new packaging to further reduce wastage. Our focus remains steadfast: to work alongside our customers to develop ideas unique for them whilst, still, maintaining a reputation of quality, service and creativity.

Thank you to all our customers, stockists, and team members who made 2024 such an incredible year. Here’s to another year of baking memories and creating smiles!