EACH to benefit from CT Baker Group’s celebratory fundraising pledge

A North Norfolk family business that comprises supermarkets, builders’ merchants and an exceptional department store is set to celebrate its 250^th anniversary.

CT Baker Group was established in 1770 and members of the Baker family have been working in and leading the company ever since. To mark its major milestone, the company is planning a bumper year of fundraising and hopes to raise £25,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Staff have organised activities to take place throughout the anniversary year and a special commemorative range of gifts will be available for customers to purchase in-store and online. A percentage of all sales will be donated to EACH.

Tina Burdett, EACH West Norfolk Regional Fundraiser, said: “This is such a fantastic milestone for CT Baker Group. It’s inspiring to see the business still very much in the family after all this time and going from strength to strength. We’re proud and honoured to be chosen as the beneficiary of their celebratory fundraising pledge. I can’t wait to see what kinds of fundraising events and activities they come up with. I’ve already heard there will be a range of special 250^th anniversary products including a specialist gin, teddy bear, jute bag and more!”

Jane Gurney-Read, Acting Managing Director of CT Baker Group, said: “To reach our 250-year anniversary of trading in and being a part of the community in Norfolk is a remarkable achievement, and we wanted to do something to mark it that would make a positive difference.

“Staff from across the group have chosen EACH as the charity they want to support to help local children and their families. We’re aiming to raise £25,000, with plenty of fundraising activities taking place throughout the year.

“We’re looking forward to getting our customers involved, too. There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase gifts from a very exciting range of commemorative products where donations from all items sold will be made to EACH.”

An independent, family-run business, award-winning Bakers & Larners of Holt has been a mainstay in the centre of the Georgian town since 1770.  Now, 250 years on, the exceptional department store has seen four centuries, nine monarchs and stands as one of the oldest retailers in East Anglia, and one of the few in the country to remain under the ownership and control of the founding family. Its board is represented by the eighth and ninth generations of the Baker family.

Bakers & Larners forms part of the diverse CT Baker Group that also incorporates CT Baker Builders’ Merchants in Holt, Aylsham, North Walsham and Stalham, and Budgens of Holt and Aylsham stores. The group employs more than 275 people across those sites. For more information about Bakers & Larners and the shop’s history visit www.bakersandlarners.co.uk/about-us.

EACH currently offers care to 124 children and young people with life-threatening conditions in Norfolk, and support to 174 family members, as well as hundreds more across the rest of the region. For more information about EACH go to www.each.org.uk.