Edinburgh ruling reinforces zero-tolerance stance on unlawful use of shared bakery equipment
Bakers Basco, representing UK Bakers including Allied, Hovis and Warburtons, has secured a court decree against Scottish bakery Taza Bake Ltd following repeated misuse and unlawful retention of bread baskets and dollies owned by its shareholder bakeries.
The ruling, issued at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, saw the court grant decree by default in favour of Bakers Basco, awarding £13,795.30 plus interest, after the defender failed to appear with authorised legal representation.
The case followed a pattern of non-compliance in which Taza Bake continued to use Bakers Basco equipment without permission, despite clear markings and repeated attempts to resolve the matter.
At the hearing, the Sheriff refused permission for the company’s shareholder to act as a lay representative, noting that no valid application had been lodged and that the court had already ruled on the issue at an earlier hearing. With no lawful representation present, decree was granted in Bakers Basco’s favour. The court also found Bakers Basco was entitled to recover legal expenses in regard to the court action.
Commenting on the case, Christie Allan, solicitor at Livingstone Brown, said ‘This court decree reinforces my client’s appetite to take legal action where necessary. Where there is the unauthorised use or retention of its equipment, my client will take robust action within the civil courts to seek its recovery and/or to seek compensation for its losses’.
Stacey Brown, national investigations manager at Bakers Basco, said:
“This ruling sends a clear message to the industry that misuse of shared bakery equipment will not be tolerated. Our baskets and dollies are critical to the infrastructure for the safe and efficient delivery of bread across the UK. When they are taken out of the system unlawfully, it creates disruption, cost and waste for everyone.”
Brown added: “We always seek to resolve matters without litigation, but when businesses persistently ignore the rules and our warnings, we will take decisive action to protect our members’ assets.”
Bakers Basco’s investigations team compiled evidence demonstrating unauthorised use and retention of equipment, supported by site visits and documentation presented to the court. The successful outcome reinforces the company’s long-standing enforcement approach and its commitment to maintaining fairness and integrity within the bakery supply chain.
The ruling is expected to act as a deterrent to other operators who continue to misuse pooled bakery equipment, particularly in Scotland, where enforcement action remains ongoing.
Bakers Basco operates a nationwide pool of more than five million bread baskets and 500,000 dollies. The system underpins a circular logistics model designed to reduce waste, lower emissions and keep costs down across the supply chain.
Brown concluded: “Our members invest heavily in this equipment to ensure fresh bread reaches shelves efficiently and sustainably. Protecting that system is essential and this judgment reinforces that we will act when it is undermined.”
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