Local social enterprise to serve passengers and create jobs
HMPasties, an Oldham-based bakery that works with people facing barriers to employment, has won a supply partnership with the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) for the summer season. The arrangement will see a selection of HMPasties’ handcrafted products made available to visitors at ELR sites across the line.
The collaboration is intended not only to broaden the railway’s catering offer but also to reinforce its commitment to community impact by supporting a supplier that focuses on training and employment for prison leavers and others struggling to find work.
"We’re delighted to be working with East Lancashire Railway, a much-loved attraction with a rich heritage and strong community following," said Lee Wakeham, founder of HMPasties.
HMPasties operates as a social business and, through its charitable foundation, provides training, jobs and wraparound support designed to help people build stable, independent lives after release or while overcoming other barriers to the labour market.
Why the tie-up matters locally
For visitors, the partnership means more locally produced catering options when travelling on vintage trains or visiting heritage stations. For Oldham residents and the workforce HMPasties supports, it represents another route to paid work and on-the-job experience — an important step towards long-term employment.
Mike Kelly, chair of the East Lancashire Railway, described the supplier as delivering more than food, underlining the alignment between the railway’s community values and those of HMPasties.
"Their commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities for ex-offenders and supporting rehabilitation aligns strongly with our own values as a community-focused organisation," Mike Kelly said.
Practical details and community benefits
- HMPasties will supply a selection of its handcrafted bakery products to ELR outlets.
- The partnership highlights ethical, local sourcing for a regionally popular attraction.
- Revenue and exposure from the railway are expected to support HMPasties’ training and employment programmes.
While the arrangement strengthens HMPasties’ reach across the North West, it also reflects a wider trend among visitor attractions to work with suppliers who demonstrate positive social impact.
| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| HMPasties (Oldham) | Supplier of handcrafted bakery products; provides training and employment for people facing barriers to work |
| East Lancashire Railway | Heritage railway offering visitor catering points for supplied products |
For Oldham, the deal is a reminder that local social enterprises can compete for regional partnerships while advancing social goals. The railway gains locally made produce for passengers; HMPasties gains exposure and revenue that will feed back into its employment programmes.
As heritage venues look to broaden their appeal and social impact, this kind of tie-up could serve as a model for other attractions seeking suppliers who deliver both quality products and community benefits.
