We're celebrating our 100,000th Online Order!
Written by Alyson Jackson
We're celebrating our 100,000th online order, a huge milestone for a small, family-run bakery based on the Yorkshire coast!
Botham's first started selling online in the 1990's. Pictured: Plum Bread timeline from 1997 - 2026
Anita Marshall, Elizabeth Botham’s great-great-granddaughter said: “That’s a lot of baking and packing effort since we launched our new website back in 2021. But, most of all, hitting 100k online orders is testimony to my family’s passion for baking, their love of Whitby and Yorkshire, and their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience which certainly has been handed down the generations. Enjoying Botham’s is not confined to Whitby; our bakery produce is enjoyed nationwide!”
1990 ~ A Leap Into E-commerce
In the 1990's, former Managing Director - and trailblazer - Michael Jarman (Anita Marshall’s Father) boldly led the company towards e-commerce, making Botham's of Whitby (a small fishing town in Yorkshire with only two fax machines!) one of the first companies in the country to sell products online using, what they call, a 'website'.
Michael Jarman, retired Director, current business advisor and Botham family member, said: “It’s wonderful to see how a website that began in February 1995—originally created to balance seasonal demand and help us share our baked goods more widely—has grown and thrived, while supporting year-round security for our amazing bakery team.”
Skinner Street Bakehouse, 1997 - (Left to right) Michael Jarman, Jo Botham, Sarah Jarman & Nick Botham
The original Botham's website, first built in 1995
From Humble Beginnings
Since Elizabeth first established the business in 1865, Botham’s bakery now includes five shops, three cafes, wholesale – including nationwide distribution - and, of course, the popular Mail Order service.
Anita Marshall, continues: “When I look at my family business today, it’s hard to believe that my great-great-Grandmother started by simply selling her bakes from a cart in the town! Today, we focus on bringing high quality food hampers and delicious bakery produce to online, providing customers with a vast choice. Our Orders Team take great care in packing each parcel, and customers frequently comment on the beautiful presentation and attention to detail. I’m proud of Botham’s and all that we have achieved, and I’m excited to see what the future brings.”
Anita Marshall, Director and Elizabeth Botham's great-great-grandaughter
Celebrating With Plum Bread
To celebrate this milestone, Botham’s sent Dinah Gould, the lucky customer who placed the 100,000th order, a gold gift box full of Dinah’s favourite bake: Botham’s Plum Bread.
Dinah Gould said: “I discovered plum bread in a rather upmarket grocery about five years ago. I dislike almost all dairy products which makes breakfast a difficult meal so plum bread proved an indispensable start to my day. Toast without butter or spread is dry but plum bread is moist just as it is.”
Dinah Gould, the lucky 100,000th online customer, at home with her delivery of Plum Bread
Dinah continues, “When the grocery closed suddenly last year, absence of plum bread left such a gap in my day that I decided to break the rule of a lifetime and order food via the internet. Usually, I avoid online shopping because it’s so impersonal, but Botham’s is an exception. I’m delighted to be supporting a small, local business and to contribute to its success. I look forward to using the straightforward website, receiving the beautifully presented box a few days later and I’m proud to have been the 100,000th online customer!”
We'd also like to thank each and every one of our online customers as we can only be the business we are today with your loyal support and custom ~ thank you!
1997 - 2026
From humble beginnings when a small quantity of celebration cakes, biscuits and tea breads were available to order online, the website now includes a wide range of Botham’s Yorkshire Hampers, celebration and fancy cakes, a popular ‘Bakery by Post’ section, fan club pages for Whitby Lemon Buns and Japonaise fans, and more!
Tina Devine, Chief Commercial Officer at ShopWired, said: “We’re proud and honoured to be part of Botham’s continued success story. What’s truly inspiring is their legacy of leadership, with each generation embracing change and finding new ways to grow. ShopWired is thrilled to power their online home and support them as they reach 100,000 orders and beyond.”
Find out more at botham.co.uk
