New bake house to open in Shotley Bridge next week

The Bake House, at 54 Ashfield, in Shotley Bridge will open its doors on June 19 under owner Stuart Martin, 39, who moved from Darlington to Consett ten years ago.

Stuart has worked in hospitality and catering since the age of 16 after attending catering college.

Stuart Martin, 39, originally from Darlington is the face behind the new Bake House in Shotley Bridge (Image: THE BAKE HOUSE)

Most recently, he taught catering to adult learners at Darlington College before a health scare five years ago led to a period in hospital and forced him to stop working.

He later established a community café at Lanchester Community Centre, which operated for three years and built up a strong customer base before he decided to pursue a new challenge.

Stuart then decided to open The Bake House last summer and secured the keys to the premises in November.

Full renovations have been underway since November last year ahead of the set opening date June 19 (Image: THE BAKE HOUSE)

Since then, the building has undergone a full renovation and is now undergoing final preparations ahead of opening.

The business will sell homemade pies served with meat gravy and homemade mushy peas, alongside a range of traditional and changing pie flavours.

Customers will also be able to buy pastries, cakes, scones, bakery products, light breakfasts including bacon and sausage sandwiches, deli sandwiches and fresh barista coffee.

Full renovations have been underway since November last year ahead of the set opening date June 19 (Image: THE BAKE HOUSE)

The business will initially employ a team of three, including Charles, who previously worked with Stuart at the community café, and Charles’ wife Brandy, who will work part-time.

Stuart said: “The response has been great, and really reassured us.

“I was quite apprehensive as two shops have closed on the street quite recently and I was worried it was going to be turning into a ghost town, but there has been interest in those vacant shops and I think it will all be okay.

“We have been dropping leaflets off in the local community and the response has been great. While doing the works we have left the door open and had so many people popping down to have a look at the progress or speak with us, so it is really reassuring.

“I am not just really excited. I am not in this to make my millions, I am doing it because I love what we do and I think we are good at it.

The Bake House at Shotley Bridge will specialise in traditional homemade pies, with meat gravy and homemade mushy peas (Image: THE BAKE HOUSE)

The Bake House at Shotley Bridge is set to open on June 19 (Image: THE BAKE HOUSE)

“We had a strong customer base at the community café and were trusted there so we can’t wait to open here now and build the same thing.”

The Bake House will be open from 8am to 1.30pm Tuesday to Friday and from 10am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.

Takeaway service will be available, alongside a small indoor seating area, with outdoor seating planned in the future.