A PATISSERIE chef who has worked with some of the UK's leading dessert brands has acquired Harrogate Cake Company after securing funding support from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Charlotte Marrifield, who has created desserts for celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal, as well as supermarkets and manufacturers including Gü and Lily O’Brien’s, is taking over the Harrogate Cake Company from former director Heather Cawthorne, with production moving to Ms Marrifield's 3,000sq ft bakery in Thirsk.

Ms Marrifield, who has 18 years experience in dessert and cake making, including her Sugar Therapy patisserie in Harrogate, said: "We are absolutely delighted to acquire the Harrogate Cake Company as it brings an incredibly strong brand into our business.

"The products are very high quality and we will continue to follow the original 50-year-old recipes, as well as applying the same meticulous skill and care we are known for."

Ms Marrifield will continue to use The Harrogate Cake Company name but the company will become part of her umbrella ‘Sugar Therapy’ brand, which also includes a new range of chilled ‘Undeniably Charlotte’ desserts, which have just been launched in Booths.

Jon Haw, relationship manager from Royal Bank of Scotland, which secured funding for the deal, said: "Charlotte has an impressive track record of success and is very highly regarded within her industry.

"We are delighted to support this acquisition which is a perfect fit for Charlotte and her team.

"She will undoubtedly continue the success of this well known Yorkshire brand bringing her own personal touch as the production relocates to her bakery in Thirsk."