SHOPPERS in Winchester city centre will soon be able to get their hands on artisan breads, cakes, macrons and pastries as a new bakery opens its doors.

The Winchester Bakery will open its first shop and café next to the Buttercross, on Wednesday, April 6 at 7.30am.

The business is opening in the unit formerly occupied by the West Cornwall Pasty Co, which closed in 2019.

It follows an extensive refurbishment of the Grade II listed building.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The Winchester Bakery was launched as a wholesale business in 2020. It quickly became popular, supplying local restaurants and cafes.

As the business grew in popularity, director Nick Hanson said the next natural step was to open a retail shop in the heart of Winchester.

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Nick said: "The success of The Winchester Bakery wholesale business and our great baking team has led us to open our first shop.

"The location at the Buttercross could not be a more perfect spot. We have worked closely with heritage groups and specialist builders to sympathetically restore this historic Grade II listed building.

"We are now excited to be opening our doors to serve delicious breads and bakes and to show off this beautiful building."

The bakery team is led by experienced bakery manager, Darren North, who is also fondly known as a 'master of sourdough'.

Hampshire Chronicle: What the shop used to look likeWhat the shop used to look like

He works mostly with local suppliers using centuries-old bread baking methods with modern equipment. He also searches out unique ingredients which he incorporates into The Winchester Bakery’s range.

The shop will sell artisan breads, cakes, macrons, pastries and savoury treats. It will also serve speciality coffee and other hot and cold drinks.

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Patrons can take their treats away or enjoy them in the beautifully restored upstairs seating area, surrounding the large stone fireplace of the Grade II listed building.

Everything is baked under two miles away at The Winchester Bakery’s production kitchen in Winnall. This makes the location of their first shop very fitting. The 15th century Buttercross was traditionally where the good people of Winchester came to buy their local produce.

The shop and café will be open every weekday 7.30am to 5.30pm. Weekend opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm on Saturday and 9am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

The Winchester Bakery has also recently joined Hampshire Fare and is looking forward to working closely with other local producers as it develops its range.

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Kimberley Barber