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Since our inception in 1913, the success and growth of
Arthur Chatwin Limited can be attributed to the company's
ability to deliver a wide range of award-winning bakery goods
to an ever increasing market whilst carefully controlling
quality and retaining craft techniques.
Craft expertise has been developed over the years through specialised
training in conjunction with progressive institutes such as
the Richemont School in Switzerland which enables us to combine
contemporary continental practice with traditional baking
techniques.
Chatwins is still a family business and its traditional family
values have stood the test of time since John Chatwin started
up in Edwardian times. John Chatwin's three great-grandsons
now work in the business, the fourth generation of Chatwins,
and they are still as dedicated as their great-grandfather
in giving customers traditional quality products.
John Chatwin had been an insurance agent in Congleton but
he moved to Nantwich back in 1913 where he rented some cottages
next to the Church. He converted the premises into a small
bakery and soon gained a reputation for baking fresh tasty
bread. With no shop, a horse drawn van was used to deliver
around Nantwich and into the surrounding rural areas.
| In 1916, the first shop and tea room was
opened alongside the bakery in Market Street and John's
son, Arthur, started helping out after school. Arthur
and his brother John jnr joined the business in the mid
20s and, soon afterwards, cakes started being produced
for the first time. |
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It wasn't long before Chatwins reputation was noted further
afield and in 1934, the business scooped the prestigious 1934
International Award in London.
Sadly, John jnr died in 1937 but Arthur Chatwin took over
in 1940 as John snr's health faltered. At the time there was
still only the one shop in Market Street, Nantwich but, by
the end of the decade, Arthur had opened shops in Crewe and
Sandbach and a second one in the Square at Nantwich. The Sandbach
shop could only be opened three days a week due to rationing
but in 1952 rationing ended and more raw materials became
available.
In 1955, Arthur's son Brian joined the business at the tender
age of 17. The father and son team laid foundations for the
expansion of the business which now comprises 20 shops and
6 coffee lounges throughout Cheshire and Staffordshire.
Arthur Chatwin passed away in 1993 and Brian retired in 2005,
but the family values live on through Edward
who is as committed as his great-grandfather in giving
customers traditional quality products.
The quality of products continues to be recognised nationally
with the company winning the title 'Champion Bakery of Britain'
and Production Director Trevor Mooney recently winning the
prestigious national 'Baker of the Year' competition.
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