AN award-winning Keighley company is continuing to grow.

Vanilla Etc has expanded its premises, at Oakwood Business Park, in Royd Way, and created three new jobs.

The specialist family business was launched in 2011 by former chef Graham Bruce, after he experienced difficulty sourcing high-quality vanilla products in the UK.

The firm imports Madagascan vanilla, supplies gourmet vanilla beans, powder and seeds, and manufactures vanilla bean paste and extracts in various strengths.

Supported by a £24,400 grant from the Government-financed Keighley Towns Fund, Vanilla Etc has bought equipment which enables it to mill vanilla beans into powder onsite.

And it has extended its floorspace by leasing and fitting out an adjacent unit, with features including a new mezzanine floor.

Natalie Madgett, finance sales and technical director with Vanilla Etc, says: "Thanks to invaluable support from Bradford Council’s growth manager, we were able to access the Keighley Towns Fund grant, which is propelling our business expansion plans forward.

"With the grant's assistance, we have extended our manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand for our Madagascan vanilla products, resulting in the creation of new jobs.

"We're committed to contributing to the community, fostering employment opportunities and showcasing Keighley as a place we are proud to call home."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning, says: "Our economic development service has provided assistance with the business expansion of Vanilla Etc, including the recruitment of new staff to facilitate future growth. We are delighted to support Keighley’s thriving business community."

And Liz Barker, acting chair of Keighley Towns Fund, says: "We are proud to help such a unique and expanding Keighley business, with money from our Capital Assistance to Business Growth programme. There is more funding available, so we would encourage businesses to contact us if they think they might benefit."

For more details, including eligibility criteria, email info@investinbradford.com

In 2022, Vanilla Etc won the Independent Trader of the Year title and top overall accolade at the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards.

And last year the company achieved another landmark when it received its first order from supermarket chain Booths.

An intense vanilla extract product would be available across all stores, which then totalled 27, and a vanilla bean paste was being sold through 21 outlets.

Vanilla Etc says the main part of its business traditionally had been as an ingredient supplier to manufacturing firms, but that like many other companies it had to adapt during the pandemic, which led to the idea of supplying products to home bakers.