Do you remember where you were in lockdown? Lauren Hardman remembers being separated from her husband, burning cakes in a military oven in Chivenor. These humble beginnings brought about one big problem – what do you do with all of those cakes? Lauren decided to send them to her husband’s camp, to be dispersed amongst his colleagues who were stuck there unable to see their loved ones. This kindly gesture, in difficult times, proved two things. Firstly, that practice makes perfect as Lauren’s skills continued to improve. Secondly, that there was definitely a demand for little treats in a time when treats were hard to come by. We asked Lauren to tell us what happened next. “After a few weeks of trials, I decided to deliver to my local community during lockdown to put a smile on their faces,” she explains. “After the first weekend of advertising, we sold over 100 boxes! I just couldn't believe it.” The demand didn’t slow down, and Lauren soon found her delicious cakes, with their little personalised messages, were immeasurably popular. “People would be messaging, asking me to deliver treats to their families, with little notes on for them. It was so surreal.” Clearly, Lauren had tapped into something special, for the local market proved resilient and incredibly loyal. Since those humblest of beginnings, the business has gone from strength to strength as more and more people have sought out the stunning desserts that she has to offer. The Binge Box’s standards have grown a lot since sending cakes to military camps. Now, it is proudly part of the Made in Devon initiative, as well as being Trading Standards approved. Such achievements would not even have been an option at one point, and reaching that standard is a credit to Lauren and her team’s hard work. “Three years, two more babies, and a few grey hairs, I now have a shop in Barnstaple which seats 18, as well as two mobile units, a postal service, and a Just Eat service,” Lauren tells us. “We are thriving at our bests!” The growth of the business is a testament to Lauren’s immense tenacity, and her ability to continue adapting in ever-changing times to new opportunities. The team’s hard work over the last few years, when many eateries have struggled to survive, speaks volumes to the incredible quality of what delicious dishes are on offer. Those who come to The Binge Box find a warm, friendly environment, where brownies, cakes, and cheesecakes are king. All of these can be eaten at or collected from the team’s Barnstaple shop with custom designs the order of the day. No challenge has been too great for the team, and the results are truly some of the finest that the industry has to offer. For a treat that’s impossible to beat, it’s best to turn to The Binge Box. Of course, for those who can’t travel, the company has its two mobile units that travel across the region. Lauren and the team also have ambitions of opening up a second shop in Braunton to give new scale and scope to the business. For them, nothing is too good for the people of North Devon! With more ideas for growth still being considered, we cannot wait to see what the team do next! Company: The Binge Box Name: Lauren Hardman Web Address: www.the-bingebox.org Local bakeries are something very special indeed, and few local bakeries are more special than The Binge Box. Born in lockdown, the cakes from this stunning establishment brought a community together. We caught up with Lauren Hardman to find out how she went from burning cakes to selling them to customers the length and breadth of the UK, and how this led to her achieving success in the SME Business Elite Awards 2023. Barnstaple's Leading Independent Bakery 2023
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