A YOUNG baker is on track with expansion plans for his business after the success of a pop up shop at York railway station.

George Welton, owner of Brown and Blond chocolate brownies, is now in talks with shopping centres across the region after testing the market with his first retail presence.

The move comes on the back of a flourishing wholesale venture, which saw a record breaking start to 2017 for Brown and Blond.

Mr Welton said: “Over the years we have built up a loyal following at outside events such as farmers markets and it seemed a good idea to expand the retail side of the business by ‘popping up’ at other venues.

“Our aim is to engage with new customers and explore new markets. It is early days but so far the commuters at York seemed to love the idea with our range of brownies proving to be just the ticket for passengers.

“We’re now in talks with numerous shopping centres around the region looking a pop up shops ranging from a week to three weeks. Our ultimate goal would be to have little outlets in shopping centres.

“We had a record breaking start to January with turnover up three fold and every week new enquiries are coming in from potential customers around the country.”

“Wholesale is the core business, it’s what we have worked for over the last two years, and we’ve now got around 130 customers up and down the country.

“We have got a solid base now, so that’s why were are looking at different outlets.”

Mr Welton started the business when he was 18 years old at his family home in Cattal, between York and Knaresborough, after coming up with the idea while working in a cafe. He launched the business with a micro bakery in an out building at his family’s small holding.

Now, at 25, he has expanded to larger premises at Chapel Allerton, Leeds, and sells around 10,000 brownies a week.

Following the success of the pop up shop at York station Mr Welton plans to sell his brownies at other railway stations and shopping centres locally.

He puts down the success of the business to his passion for baking, hard work (he rises at 3am in the morning) and the support of his family and girlfriend, Lucy, who is now part of the team and responsible for marketing aspects of Brown and Blond.

He said: “As well as Lucy we now have three members of staff helping with the baking and if demand for our brownies continues at the present rate we will be looking to take on more staff in the near future.”