A social enterprise renowned for its range of sweet treats has won a prestigious listing with high-end department store Selfridges.
Miss Macaroon is now selling its products in the chain's Birmingham store in the Bullring shopping centre, adding to its standalone shops in the Great Western Arcade and at Resorts World in Solihull.
Founder Rosie Ginday said: "We've had a really strong start to sales in Selfridges and we're hoping to build on this with monthly sampling in store.
"It's great to have such a massive brand selling our macaroons and this builds on an existing relationship with Midcounties Co-op to stock them across the Cotswolds and Midlands.
"This mainstream retail exposure helps us grow our brand and, importantly, tell our unique story to a much bigger audience, leveraging much-needed funding in the process."
Miss Macaroon runs a programme called 'MacsMAD', which stands for Macaroons that make a Difference, and comprises a ten-week training and food production course alongside professional chefs for people who are low on confidence, suffering mental health issues or have been long-term unemployed.
So far, more than 130 graduates have completed the programme, with 27 currently employed at the Birmingham business, including among kitchen staff and in business admin and retail roles.
Last year, it secured £150,000 from another department store chain, John Lewis, to support the running of this programme.
Ms Ginday added: "We're expecting to train another 80 young people over the next twelve months but that's just the start.
"There is also the possibility of creating a joint venture to deliver MacsMAD in conjunction with a partner organisation and to grow the co-delivery model so we can support even more people who need it."
