A BUSINESS making home-baking kits and mixes has been chosen to champion successful UK start ups by the government-backed Start Up Loans Company.

Joseph Munns, who co-founded Bakedin, based in Rankine Road, was honoured at a dedicated launch reception on November 26, at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate some of the UK’s most successful small businesses.

Joseph and his friends struck upon the idea of making home-baking kits in 2013, inspired by the rising popularity of recipe boxes.

The trio began selling the recipe kits at school fetes, market stalls and street food festivals, and the products are now available in hundreds of retailers across the UK and as far afield as the USA, Germany and Iceland.

To complement the retail products, they have since started The Baking Club, a subscription service that delivers a home-baking kit through the door each month to thousands of subscribers. The kits include recipes by world-renowned French chef Michel Roux.

The event at Westminster launch was to launch the year-long Ambassador Programme which will see Bakedin and the other ambassadors take part in a series of local and national events, where they will offer advice to other aspiring business owners about becoming their own boss.

Kelly Tolhurst, minister for small business, said: “With more than 1,000 starting up every day, the UK’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy and at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy. Congratulations to the newly-appointed Ambassadors for the Government-backed Start Up Loans Programme, which helps aspiring business owners across the UK turn their dreams into a reality with finance and mentoring support.”

Joseph said: “This is a really exciting time for us and we’re delighted that we’ve been chosen as an Ambassador for the Start Up Loans Company. Our story shows that if you believe in your idea and have the tenacity and determination to succeed, then anything is possible.

"The £2,500 loan that Anna and I received from the Start Up Loans Company allowed us to take a significant step in the early days of our business and get our first packaging run printed - we really wouldn’t be here without it.”

Patrick Magee, the chief commercial officer of the British Business Bank, said: “From healthy snacks for children to gourmet baking kits and waste-free supermarkets, our 2018 ambassadors showcase the wonderful range of small businesses that we have in the UK.

“All of our ambassadors’ stories show the grit and ambition it takes to set up a successful business, and we’re incredibly proud of everything they have achieved. We hope that, with the right guidance and support, we can help even more aspiring business owners realise their dreams of becoming their own boss.”

The Start Up Loans Company was formed in June 2012 and provides low-interest personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000. It also offers free dedicated mentoring and support to each business.