Derelict building to be transformed into pudding parlour

A Budleigh Salterton pudding maker has taken on a new 'Big Build' to help breath new life into a disused part of the town.

The Big Build, creating a new kitchen in the old Otter Vale building, will bring Georgie Porgie's Puddings' George Hollywood full circle as he started his career working for Budleigh Pate in the same building.

As his first job at age 13, George cleaned all the factory floors of Budleigh Pate for £5 a day. Little did he know this would not be the last he would see of the Budleigh Pate building.

The Budleigh based entrepreneur started Georgie Porgie's Puddings in August 1994, starting with traditional steamed Christmas puddings, all while working part-time in the chutney factory that took over the building from Budleigh Pate. Now George's artisan puddings have won a number of awards and have even got the royal seal of approval.

George bought the Otter Vale building back in 2016. The building has seen better days and has been derelict for several years now. It took a further two years to get planning permission granted for its redevelopment as a pudding parlour.

George is hoping the new bakery and pudding parlour will breath new life into a disused area of Budleigh Salterton and at the same time secure the future of his business.

"It's great to come home," said George. "It feels like going full circle. We're hoping to recreate a bit of history in the town and bring this disused building back to life.

"I made my first Christmas pudding in the Otter Vale building, it feels great to bring the business back to my home town.

"My hope is that it will bring more people to the town to try the puddings plus bring some more employment and tourism to the town."

Over the last few years it has been a huge challenge to get funding in place for George's ambitious plans.

As a small business, George has had to jump through hoops to try to secure funding, now he is appealing for help from the public and his customers.

George is asking you all to bring the purchase of your Christmas puddings forward by a month and buy them now. And as a thank you, he is giving away a brand new, and free, Ultimate Gin Pudding with everyone spending £25 or more on his site.

By bringing sales forward George will be able to start work on the build sooner with more security.

If you would like to help George achieve his dream click on the red button below to go direct to the Georgie Porgie's Puddings website.