Baking History Since 1949

For nearly a century, Sheldon’s Bakery has been part of the fabric of Manchester — a family-run business built on the traditional Lancashire values of hard work, honest ingredients, and a love of proper baking. From a single horse and cart to one of Britain’s most advanced bakeries, our story has always been about passion, people, and pride.

Baking History since 1949

Baking History since 1949

1994
Sheldons supply ASDA

We ASDA ‘ave ’em

We ASDA ‘ave ’em

ASDA asked us to supply four products including Oven Bottom Muffins and Potato Cakes.

1995

Time to move again

But even bigger change was on the horizon. When Manchester launched its bid for the 2000 Olympic Games, Sheldon’s bakery found itself on land destined for redevelopment — the future site of the Etihad Stadium. Rather than see this as a setback, Graham saw an opportunity.

In 1995, he designed and built a state-of-the-art bakery on Stainburn Road, Openshaw, investing over £2.5 million in cutting-edge, custom-designed machinery. True to form, Graham demanded the very best quality of machinery and setup. The result was one of the most advanced bakeries in the UK — efficient, modern, and built to last.

Lee joined his father in the bakery, learning every job from engineering and repairing machines to production and buying quality ingredients. Meanwhile, Sarah pursued law at the University of Birmingham, returning to the business years later to bring her expertise to operations, personnel and compliance.

1995
Rod Ledgard joins Sheldons

April 1995 – New talent

April 1995 – New talent

Rod Ledgard started as Production Manager – bringing with him 10 years experience as Area Technical Manager at Rank Hovis Mills, where his role was troubleshooting flour and product problems in bakeries across the UK and Europe and doing new product development.

With the move to the new bakery came increased production, expansion more jobs for people in the surrounding area – the company now employed around 70 staff.

Some key members of staff that helped the family with the difficulties involved in setting up and moving to new premises are still employed by the Company today e.g. Tony Lees (Engineering Manager) who started as Graham’s apprentice in 1986.

1998

1995 – 1998

1995 – 1998

Sarah Sheldon studied law at University of Birmingham.

2000

More Talent

More Talent

Neil Fairhurst joined to boost the commercial side after many years at Rathbone’s Bakery. With over 30 years’ experience, Neil was versed in almost every aspect of the Baking Industry. He works closely with the Despatch and Distribution Teams, ensuring that our 8–strong fleet of HGVs is properly maintained and ready to make deliveries to all of our customers. He also deals with all of our suppliers’ invoices – ingredients, services, equipment – and the payroll, which makes him very popular!

2001
Mobile sales team

Service improvements

Through the 2000s, Sheldon’s expanded its reach and refined its processes. The company began supplying Aldi, recruited new technical managers, and launched a mobile Sales Support Team to ensure top service across the North.

2002

Getting technical

Getting technical

The Company recruited its first full time Technical Manager to drive forward and improve the existing food safety systems.

2003

Premier man

Premier man

Alan Stone brought 45 years of sales experience from Premier Foods (Hovis).

2004
Sheldons supply Aldi

Another outlet

Another outlet

The Company started supplying Aldi.

2005
Sarah Sheldon joins

Sarah’s return

Sarah’s return

Sarah Sheldon joined the business after working in Barrister’s chambers in London and for DLA Piper and Halliwells in Manchester. Sarah’s legal background would be immensely useful in the sea of regulations that surrounded the company in the modern era. Sarah’s first main project was to find some further land and/or premises as the bakery was full to capacity.