Stalwart features of the Reigate and Horley business scene recently, Chris and Rosie Robinson, founders of Chalk Hills Bakery, celebrated 15 years of success.
From their first snowy bake to a pop-up shop in Reigate and eventually a permanent home on Bell Street, their business journey has not been without challenges. Long hours, personal hardships tested their resilience—but the Robinsons credit community support and a dedicated team for helping them through.
Their biggest lesson? Collaboration and adaptability matter most. From wholesale partnerships to embracing technology, Chalk Hills has evolved with the times. Today, they’re not just a bakery, they’re a hub for quality food and innovation. Customers can enjoy fresh sourdough, pastries, and deli delights in-store, at the Horley Kiosk, or even from the comfort of home thanks to online ordering and delivery.
As much as Chris and Rosie humbly claim that such a string of success was due to a series of lucky circumstances, it was arguably much more a testament to their tireless, hard work. With Rosie manning retail and Chris, the bastion of wholesale, the pair would collectively clock in nearly 130 hours a week.
Chris and Rosie remain committed to their mission: great food, made with care. Their story is a powerful reminder that while luck helps, hard work, passion, and community are what truly sustain a business.
“We’ve got a good team,” Rosie affirms, as the pair discuss how the spirit of collaboration amongst their workforce and encouraging the autonomy of their employees allows them to be better managers of the business.
Here’s to 15 years and many more to come!