WHEN IT consultants Debra Riddell and Geoff Crowe left Australia to go travelling, they never thought they would end up in the middle of the Borders countryside running a community bakery.

Now three years on, they are producing 2,000 loaves of artisan bread a week in their tiny premises on Whitmuir Organic Farm, near West Linton, and are looking to franchise the business throughout Scotland.

Breadshare was originally formed by a group of local residents keen to have good bread available in the area. Debra & Geoff got involved after doing a breadmaking course locally and the couple initially commuted from London before making the permanent move with their son.

The couple employ seven staff, helped by a small army of volunteers, and are training people who face barriers to employment. They hold regular open days, talks and demonstrations, including workshops for schoolchildren, as part of their mission to make good bread accessible to everyone and are passionate about the health benefits of bread “made the proper way with the best ingredients.

“We are making bread the way it was made 6000 years ago using just three ingredients – water, flour and a pinch of salt – and a sourdough slow-fermented method.” They now need to move to bigger premises in a more accessible location and getting on the LaunchMe programme will make that possible. The couple want to see community bakeries throughout Scotland by franchising the Breadshare model - their first franchisee has recently opened for business in Galashiels – and they are also looking at the feasability of creating a local organic flour food chain including farmers, wholesalers and retailers. There is a huge market out there. We are looking for help, including franchising expertise, to get to the next level and LaunchMe will help us get there.” The social enterprise project has been awarded £17,000 in seed funding as part of LaunchMe, a unique new business accelerator programme.

It went through a rigorous three-month process, including pitches to a high-profile expert panel, to be selected for the pioneering programme, the first of its kind in Scotland.

The seed funding - the first stage in getting them ready for rapid growth - was announced this week as applications open for Round Two of LaunchMe. Designed and delivered by Firstport, LaunchMe is an initiative of the Big Lottery Fund and Social Investment Scotland, intended to grow the social investment market in Scotland. Firstport aims to identify the 15 most ambitious, early stage social enterprises in Scotland, give them intensive business support and connect them with investors looking for social as well as financial returns.

In addition to the initial seed funding, participants can also apply for funding of up to £100,000 to match any investment they secure during the three-year programme.

Jackie Killeen, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Director, said: “LaunchMe offers a new type of Lottery investment that will enable early stage social enterprises to accelerate their plans much faster than they might otherwise have thought possible. With the right mix of finance and expertise I am sure they will go on to achieve their ambitions while providing lasting benefits for their local communities.” More information is available at www.launchmescotland.org.uk