This week, one of Malta’s best-known confectionaries, Busy Bee Group, teased the announcement of its newest project, which will see the company branch into the Sliema market through an outlet at The Strand Towers, located at no. 35, The Strand, Sliema.

As catering and hospitality establishments around the world are dealing with the immense challenge of keeping their day-to-day operations well-staffed, Busy Bee Group is bucking the trend by further expanding.

In comments to WhosWho.mt, the team behind Busy Bee Group shared that this latest project “is the result of the long-term vision and expansion plan” of the company.

They were unable to provide an opening date for now but shared that the opening of its Mriehel outlet in 2018 was met with such positive feedback, it encouraged the Group to enhance its offering.

Busy Bee Mriehel / Photo by Sean Mallia 

“The opening of the Mriehel outlet in 2018 has been welcomed and supported by our new and returning loyal customers. We were overwhelmed by the feedback and the support we have received since the opening, this encouraged us to continue creating exciting new products, enhance our service and provide opportunities for growth to our loyal staff members.”

The team shared that the opening of new locations was “always in the pipeline”.

On the choice of Sliema specifically, Busy Bee said that an opportunity came about and “we thought it was a great idea to be part of this exciting and vibrant community”, adding that they believe the Group “will have a positive contribution to the area”.

They confirmed that works started a couple of weeks ago and they “are in line to meet our open date target”.

 Asked about what such expansion projects have been like in the midst of a pandemic and a highly challenging time for eateries and catering establishments, Busy Bee Group shared that the company took the opportunity to get their team together to “work harder than ever and try to convert these challenges into opportunities”.

Hard work pays off, and, indeed, “the outcome was very positive, as we focused on the creation and the quality of new products, and we worked on the training and development of our staff”.

The team shared that “these measures have culminated in strengthening our offer and our service. At times when customers couldn’t get to us due to the pandemic, we made sure we reached out to them, we were still able to provide our products and service, and the feedback, as a result, was very positive”.

On the issue of staffing specifically, Busy Bee Group said that it believes in “creating a positive culture and an environment where people are able to perform at the best of their ability, then everyone starts to feel as part of a growing family”.

“By providing a good work/life balance and an adequate salary we are confident that we will be able to overcome these challenges.”