june-2011

[ feature ]
LONDON
household name beyond that
of mere Polish households.
“It’s hard work but the aim
is to have Polish products on
every corner, like some of the
English household names,”
says Marcin.
“English people like the
bread but we’re still fighting to
increase our English customer
base. It’s very well established
now in the Polish community;
they buy automatically without
thinking, but with the English
customers we have to make
them aware we have this
great product.”
Sourcing Polish ingredients
is the key to the business’
success according to Marcin,
as is employing Polish bakers
with expert knowledge of
traditional methods. He says it
gives them the edge over their
competitors here in the UK.
“As the EU borders have
relaxed it’s easier to set up a
business model,” he explains.
“And it’s easier to travel and
work throughout the EU. There
are other things to overcome
in Britain such as the language,
but it’s still an exciting time.”
Marcin acknowledges that
it’s no pushover. “This is an
especially tough business,
it’s totally 24/7. It’s a lot of
work but it’s very rewarding,
especially watching our
success in difficult times and
into the rest of 2011.
“The hardest part was
setting up a company here
and getting used to the British
economic ways of doing things.
Initially we just went for it and
believed in the idea.”
Marcin argues that today
there are just as many
opportunities to start a
business in the UK as in 2003
– you just need to stand strong
behind your convictions.
62 WIZZ MAGAZINE // JUNE/JULY 2011
“Be brave, realise your
dreams. Don’t think too much.
Of course you need a business
plan but just don’t wait too
long! The opportunities are
definitely there.”
The Polish Bakery, Stonebridge
House, 272 Abbeydale Road,
Wembley, London.
+44 (0)208 998 6077.
www.thepolishbakery.co.uk
POLAND’S PRESIDENT,
BRONISŁAW KOMOROWSKI,
LENDS A HAND
THE POLISH BAKERY