Local company running night shifts to keep supermarket shelves stocked

The Burnley Express reported last month that Altham-based manufacturer What More UK had started running night shifts to keep up with an "astonishing" growth in demand ever since the coronavirus lockdown began with people searching for ways to keep busy at home.

Now the Government has announced it will continue the furlough scheme for another four months, until October, the home baking craze seems set to continue.

Tony Grimshaw, director of What More UK, said: "There are two types of people in the UK at the moment. There are those at home on furlough looking for things to do, and there are those working harder than ever to make up for the staffing restrictions. We all just want the best for the nation."

There are currently more than seven million people in the UK on furlough leave. People are using the time to regain traditional skills, like arts and crafts, DIY, gardening, and of course home baking.

Mr Grimshaw, who last year was named "Kitchen Hero" in the Innovation Housewares Awards, continued: "If you've got time on your hands, and the kids are off school, home baking is the perfect activity. Making a loaf of bread requires time and patience, but the end product is easily worth the effort.

"With schools closed and children at home, parents are being thrown into the deep end in terms of keeping up their education. Home baking is an ideal way to teach the kids some life skills."

UK retailers are selling bakeware products and cookware as fast as the shelves can be stocked.