A TRAFFORD Park-based property company has announced the winner of its 2014 North West Entrepreneur Award.

Former professional pastry chef, Verity Gaughan, was crowned champion for her Ivy Bell Baking Kits.

The ‘bake in the box’ cake kits are based on traditional recipes and use natural ingredients.

In winning the award, Whalley Range based entrepreneur Verity will enjoy 12 months’ complimentary business accommodation courtesy of Canmoor at the company’s Longwood Park estate in Trafford Park.

Verity said: “I am really excited about this opportunity. As a start-up company, it’s very difficult to make the leap from a small, cottage industry to become a real contender in the market place.

"I have already secured some key customers such as Booths supermarkets and fine food distributor, Cotswold Fayre.

"However, having adequate commercial premises means I can really step up my production capacity and take on other accounts.”

Now in its second year, the Canmoor North West Entrepreneur Award celebrates young and dynamic business ideas and is run in collaboration with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Trafford Council, which co-judge the competition.

Criteria for the winning business include being able to demonstrate capacity for sustainable growth, creative thinking and employment generation.

Ivy Bell Baking Kits was selected from five shortlisted start-ups on the back of Verity’s clear vision for the business and the success the new venture has achieved so far, producing the baking kits from Verity’s home kitchen.

Mark Braithwaite, head of Canmoor North, said: “The standard of the applications we received from budding entrepreneurs was truly impressive, with encouraging prospects for the Trafford area.

"Ivy Bell Baking Kits, however, stood-out as the business we felt would benefit most from our award.

“The unit at Longwood Park will allow Verity to fulfil substantial orders as her business continues to expand. We look forward to watching her progress over the coming months.”

Competition runners up, Copson Ltd. and Drop City Ltd. were also awarded for their efforts and received highly advantageous rates on two other Canmoor properties within Trafford Park.

Application for next year’s competition will be advertised in the spring.