Black Milk

The funding comes from NPIF II – GC Business Finance and River Capital Smaller Loans and will support Black Milk in the next stage of its growth. Founded by Oliver Taylor nine years ago, Black Milk started out as a milkshake and cereal café, selling baked goods, and has since expanded its product offering to include pancakes, gelato and more.

It also has an online shop, where it stocks spreads and granolas, which are also used in the products made in store. Oliver previously worked in French and Argentinian restaurants and believed the incredible desserts, sauces and ice creams could become front and centre of his new concept, Black Milk.

The funding will support Black Milk in bolstering its growth plans following an influx of enquiries from high-street shops such as Co-op, Booths, Selfridges, Delli, Modern Milkman, Amazon, Tesco and more for its spreads and granolas. It will provide the crucial capital needed to purchase and supply stock to fulfil the orders placed by retailers.

The funding will also support the business in securing new brand collaborations. In April, it partnered with the English Cheesecake Company, to produce a vanilla and hazelnut cheesecake, with the product stocked in 750 stores. Black Milk also partners with Yockenthwaite Farm in Skipton, which supplies the café with its famous granola for its granola-based products.

Most recently, Black Milk’s spreads launched in Selfridges, with the product proving so popular, the global department store has already placed another order.