Councillors have given the green light for an artisan patisserie to take its business "to the next level" as it looks to launch a new van to set up shop around Warwick district.

Warwick District Council has granted the touring licence to Bakebox this week, allowing the locally-run business to take its 1960's Citroen H van to different spots around the local area and sell its range of speciality breads and hot and cold drinks.

Business owners Oliver Wells and Alessandro Collini were granted the licence at this week's licensing and regulatory panel, having said they would be taking the van to local parks and non-residential areas to sell their produce.

Mr Wells told the panel: "We are an artisan patisserie concept, we were founded in 2020. 

"The idea has lived with us a lot longer than that. 

"Alessandro was actually born near Florence in a repurposed water mill, you could say - if you believe in it - destiny. 

"We founded Bakebox out of a flood of artistic curiosity. 

"We believe that people deserve the food and beverage offering that is rooted in a genuine obsession with craft and curiosity and mixing historical know-how and historical baking techniques, as well as new innovative ideas. 

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"We also really believe in strongly championing that craft and curiosity within the community. 

"Wherever we trade, currently at markets and events, we always try and create a small and welcoming space for those values to thrive even if it is outside of food and beverage."

Bakebox has been granted permission to trade outside the usual hours for touring vendors until 8pm - the usual cut off is 6pm.

The business has also been given permission to stay in one spot for longer than the usual 15 minutes allowed.

The panel agreed the application be approved but the van be limited to two hours in one place, and not to be allowed to return for another two hours.

Speaking at the meeting, licensing enforcement officer Emma Morgan explained there are already "a number of street traders who have been given permission to trade outside those hours" in the district.

"After the 12 months we renew the licences, if there are any issues we wouldn't renew them," she continued. 

"There have been none that we have decided not to automatically renew them to the extended time frame. 

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"We have had no concerns raised."

The duo said allowing the van to tour the district would allow them to "take the business to the next level".

Mr Wells added it is "not full bricks and mortar but a space that is really ours that we can take and roam around and see what works".