We’re absolutely buzzing to be celebrating a milestone that’s very close to our hearts—30 years of Lauren’s Catering! Three decades of serving you scrumptious snacks, delightful buffets, and heartwarming meals. But have you ever wondered about the story behind your favourite local caterer? Well, grab a cuppa and settle in, because we’re about to take you on a trip down memory lane.
The Humble Beginnings
Let’s rewind the clock to a young Tony Byrne, who at the tender age of 16, started working in bakeries around Gloucester. By 23, he was ambitious enough to buy his bakery. Unfortunately, the late ’80s and early ’90s recession hit hard, forcing Tony to close shop. But you know what they say, when one door closes, another opens. With his redundancy money, Tony started what we now know and love as Lauren’s Catering.
The Birth of Lauren’s
In 1993, Tony took over a lease from a florist on Bristol Road. The location was a blessing in disguise, situated next to factories that provided an instant customer base. Those early days were a struggle, but the shop was always bustling. Fast forward to today, and we’ve grown from two vans at Bristol Road to seven vans at our current location, employing 14 wonderful people.
It’s All About the People
One of the most heartwarming aspects of our journey has been the relationships we’ve built. Tony fondly remembers stories of kids buying bacon rolls for 85p who still visit as adults. Our employees have been with us through thick and thin, some since day one. The company is named after Tony’s daughter Lauren, who used to work Saturday shifts, and his other daughter Aisling is still with us, managing the office.
Adapting to Change
Originally, the idea was to be a sandwich and bakery shop. But when Tony noticed that bread wasn’t flying off the shelves, he pivoted to hot food items like bacon rolls. Those early days involved gruelling hours, from 3 am to 3 pm, but the hard work paid off. We even have the original hand-painted signs from when we first opened, tucked away as a sentimental keepsake.
The Little Things
We pride ourselves on catering to high-volume orders, but we’re just as happy to deliver a single bacon roll. In the spirit of community, we used to give away a bottle of beer to every worker who came in for a bacon roll on Christmas Eve. It’s these little touches that make us one of the last-standing companies in Gloucester with our unique offering.
Looking Ahead
While we had to say a sad goodbye to our original Bristol Road shop just before the pandemic, we continue to operate from our Waterwells shop. We’re incredibly grateful for your support over the years, and we look forward to serving you for many more to come.
So, here’s to 30 years of Lauren’s Catering, and here’s to you, our amazing community. Cheers! ????
Love, The Lauren’s Catering Family ❤️
P.S. If you fancy a snack van visiting your workplace or need catering for an event, give us a ring at 01452 382690. We can’t wait to serve up some more tasty solutions for you! ????????️
