The owner of Fitzbillies – Alison Wright - has been recognised with a lifetime achievement award for rescuing the 104-year-old iconic bakery and café, widely acknowledged as something of a Cambridge institution.
Receiving her accolade at the Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024, Alison recounted the inspirational story of taking on a business that - while loved – was in need of radical rescue. Fitzbillies had already survived many challenges since its opening in October 1920, including war, a devastating fire, a flood, a pandemic and bankruptcy. Alison and her husband Tim took over the reins at Fitzbillies following a second bankruptcy in 2011, transforming the company into the thriving enterprise it is today with three branches, an offsite bakery and a sizeable e-commerce operation.
With a heritage of over one hundred years, Fitzbillies joins an elite rank, with UK data indicating that only 1.3% of businesses make it to 50 or over, and US sources suggesting that less than 0.5% of business’ are still running after 100 years and able to celebrate a centenary.
Commenting on the accolade, Alison says, “I have a very strong personal connection with Fitzbillies. I grew up in Cambridge and cycled past the shop front every day on the way to school. My father was the bursar at St Catharine’s so would treat the family to the bakery’s much celebrated Chelsea buns. Both my 18th and 21st birthday cakes were created by Fitzbillies.
“So, when I was working in London in a career in marketing and advertising and stumbled across a tweet from renowned Cambridge alumni Stephen Fry bemoaning the forthcoming closure of Fitzbillies it really pulled at my heart strings. The journey from winning the pitch to purchase Fitzbillies, to where we are today – a business that has evolved to meet the changing needs of the consumer without losing sight of its original traditions and values – has been both challenging but also incredibly rewarding.
“I would not be receiving this award were it not for the relentless dedication and commitment from our superb bakers and excellent team of employees from in-branch to behind the scenes, their input into ensuring Fitzbillies stays put for future generations to enjoy is immeasurable. And of course I have to say a big thank you to our customers both local and from further afield - especially now we have a national online presence enabling those unable to visit in person to still buy from our range of delicious baked goods – without their continued loyalty, Fitzbillies would not be a member of the exclusive 100+ club!”
Looking ahead the bakery and café team led by Alison is constantly striving for new and innovative ways to enable more people to delight in the Fitzbillies experience. Watch this space!
Fitzbillies facts:
- Fitzbillies makes over 300,000 of its ultra-sticky Chelsea buns annually – the bakery’s most famous and popular product since 1920
- When unrolled, that’s the equivalent to the distance from Cambridge to Oxford and back, Cambridge to Chelsea and back, or Cambridge to Calais!
- All Chelsea buns are made to the same secret recipe since 1920
- Fitzbillies specialises in cakes, pastries, biscuits, bread, coffee, brunch, afternoon teas, hampers and gifts
- Fitzbillies has been shortlisted at this year’s Baking Industry Awards for best online bakery business
- The weekend before the official start of the academic year at the University of Cambridge (1st October) is Alumni Weekend marking a flurry of visitors to Fitzbillies as many, including octogenarians and nonagenarians, return to the bakery and café to rekindle their fond memories of a time spent in Cambridge, enjoying their favourite Fitzbillies bakes
