Bayne's to extend Orwell Bakery and create jobs in Lochore

The bakery firm have been given the go-ahead for an extension at their Lochore base.

This will support a "significant expansion programme" with Bayne's aiming to double their high street presence from 71 to 140 shops across Scotland.

Bayne's are going to practically double the number of their shops from 71 to 140. (Image: Newsquest)

That will necessitate a big increase in production as they'll all be served from the company's main industrial site on Loanhead Avenue, where just under 1,000 people are employed.

The extension to their Orwell Bakery facility will create 15 additional jobs in Lochore and a further 300 across the new shops.

John Bayne started the company in 1954 when he saw an opportunity to make steak pies for local miners.

His grandson, also called John, is now the joint managing director.

John Bayne, the joint managing director of Bayne's and the grandson of the company's founder. (Image: Sandy Young)

When the plans were submitted in late 2025 he told the Times: “The planning and development of our production facilities represent a core pillar of our long-term business strategy and our vision for the future.

"This investment is about building a business that is forward-looking and resilient.

"By strengthening our infrastructure now, we are ensuring that Bayne’s is positioned for sustainable, long-term growth, allowing us to double our footprint across Scotland over the coming years.

Bayne's headquarters and bakery facility in Lochore. (Image: Bayne's / Fife Council planning papers)

"Crucially, this expansion will create significant new employment opportunities within the communities we serve.

"As we grow our retail presence and enhance our production capabilities, we are committed to investing in our people and providing stable, local jobs."

The plans include the reconfiguration of a garage, to allow the bakery hall to be extended by 1,575 square metres, as well as a larger store room and van driver welfare facilities.

A new one-way route will be established for delivery and despatch vehicles.

More cakes. The extension to the Orwell Bakery in Lochore will enable the company to ramp up production and supply more shops. (Image: Supplied)

A council report said: "The key operational change as a result of the proposed development would be an increase in the number of daytime and nighttime lorry deliveries.

"Five additional return lorry trips would occur during the day (7am to 11pm) and two additional during the night (11pm to 7am)."

The extension will move onto "undeveloped" woodland to the north-east of the bakery.

Previously the land was used for coal mining but operations there are believed to have stopped in the early 1900s.

Bayne's acquired "part of the designated employment site from Fife Council" to facilitate the extension and enabling the company to expand its manufacturing operations.

Bayne's have got the go-ahead for their £11m plans at their Lochore HQ. (Image: Bayne's / Fife Council planning papers)

The council report concluded: "Technical matters relating to noise, drainage, flooding and natural heritage have been satisfactorily addressed.

"The proposal will involve significant woodland removal however this is acceptable given the employment allocation of the woodland area and the provision of suitable compensatory planting secured by condition."