FEEDING an appetite for all things sweet is a recipe for success at a Shipley-based bakery and patissiers.

Just Desserts has boosted sales by more than 30 per cent in the last year and growing demand has led the bakery to expand into a third 1,800 sq ft unit, increasing the footprint of the business by 50 per cent.

Its success has created jobs for two more bakers who joined the 12 -strong team who handcraft more than 130 products .

The handmade desserts specialist has seen sales increase across its foodservice customer base, particularly in the independent, farm shop, National Trust properties and garden centre sectors.

Investing of more than £60,000 in new equipment has enabled the company to double its bakery capacity and introduce efficiency measures.

New equipment includes a five deck three tray oven, a sealer to improve packaging and a new state of the art 500 sq ft freezer, which was installed by Bradford-based Airedale Cooling Services.

The extra space has allowed Just Desserts to improve warehousing and office space, as well as restructure and open up the bakery to increase work flow. The company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, has also invested in upgraded IT systems.

Future planned improvements include the introduction of a creaming area.

James O’Dwyer, managing director, said: “I started the business with a £40 a week enterprise allowance grant more than 30 years ago. I’m delighted with the significant upsurge in sales over the last 12 months which gives me every confidence in our future growth.

“We were cited among small manufacturing firms set to benefit from domestic sales in an expanding economy in the 2014 Manufacturing Advisory Service barometer and we are certainly enjoying an increase in home grown business.

“A combination of improved marketing, better sales materials such as our new company video and getting to market earlier in key selling seasons, has contributed to this success, allowing us to respond to customer needs. Continuing to improve our facilities in Shipley will support our growth strategy.”

Just Desserts produces a wide range of premium desserts and pastries which are traditionally made to its own recipes.

The company was established by James and his wife Carol in 1985 when they made their first cake at Salts Mill, Saltaire. Since then the company has won numerous awards and gained a strong reputation among its hospitality and foodservice clients.

The bakery has also supplied high street names, including Selfridges and Waterstones Café ‘W’.