How we've helped Original Cornish Pasties

The founder and owner of Original Cornish Pasties Ltd, based in Gunnislake, is hoping to change the way we think about the much-loved local delicacy.

Scot is taking the Cornish delicacy back to its roots, with a range of flavours, including venison, lamb and game - ingredients thought to have been used in the earliest versions of the pasty.

The entrepreneur also wants to update the look and feel of the conventional pasty bakery by introducing more modern branding, as well as better use of online and web-based ordering.

Although an experienced pasty maker, Scot needed help to develop his business know-how, so he approached Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Growth Hub for advice.

He has since been able to connect with a wide range of experts, as well as other local business owners to help his newly established bakery rise to any challenge.

“It’s been really insightful and helpful,” said Scot, who set up Original Cornish Pasties Ltd last year. “Growth Hub is like this little community there just chatting away. It’s really reassuring.”

Scot first contacted Growth Hub after hearing about the organisation on local radio.

“I thought, that’s a good idea, so I dropped them an email,” said Scot, explaining that he received a reply within hours and a phone call the following day to discuss what kind of support would work for him and his business.

“They’ve given me so much help,” added Scot. “I’ve had Zoom meetings that talk to you about marketing, how to keep books, do receipts. There’s been this week by week, step by step guide. It’s been really, really helpful.

“Every single person is there to help you or back you up.”

Scot said he’s gained so much knowledge just by being able to talk to different professionals, including fellow entrepreneurs and established business owners.

“It’s not like you’re in a classroom and you’re being talked at - it’s really interactive sessions,” said Scot. “Everyone from florists to cake makers and people who own vintage shops, they’re all there chatting away to you and you’re thinking: that’s a great idea,” he added.  “You’re networking and they’re networking at the same time and that’s a really good thing.”

Scot’s plan to grow Original Cornish Pasties into a ‘new age of bakeries’ includes creating a beach delivery service from a custom-built van.

“Growth Hub have helped me to understand that it’s really beneficial to talk to people,” said Scot, keen to start building his business. “Sometimes, you have ideas in your head that you want to do but you don’t know how to talk to the right people or reach the right people.

“They (Growth Hub) do. They know exactly who to talk to.

“They’re really good at giving you confidence and support.”

Scot says he feels positive about the future of Original Cornish Pasties Ltd, which he hopes will become one of the most successful pasty bakeries in the country one day.

He can’t thank Growth Hub enough for being there at the right time.

“I would definitely recommend Growth Hub to any business,” said Scot. “I don’t think it matters how long you’ve been going for or how successful you are – they help everybody. Every single person they’ve got on their team is worth their weight in gold. Absolutely.”

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub from May 2016 -  June 2023 was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.  The project received £2,848,591.49 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.