Bakery group draws on South West artistic talent for latest opening in historic building
Independent café group Cornish Bakery has continued its rapid growth by launching its latest outlet – a project that harnessed the skills of artists and craftspeople from Cornwall to transform a distinctive historic property.
The business, founded in Mevagissey in 1994, traditionally works with Cornish designers to create its bakery-cafes, ensuring each venue in what is now an 80-plus portfolio has its own distinct character.
The latest branch, in Witney, Oxfordshire, opened last week in a Grade II listed building in the heart of the town’s Market Square.
The firm has created a bespoke concept for the property, dating back to the mid-18th century and most recently occupied by Shoe Zone.
Its interior, seating up to 50 people, has been designed to feel contemporary and refined while retaining a sense of warmth and character appropriate to its historic setting.
Exposed brickwork and textured glass sit alongside warm grey concrete flooring, timber detailing, leather banquettes and carefully considered feature lighting while Carrara marble counter tops showcase Cornish Bakery’s range of handcrafted products.
Meanwhile, the exterior has also been given a distinctive new identity, with the shopfront finished in a warm’ golden sand’ tone and large windows giving passers-by a view into the bakery.
Cornish Bakery called on its regular team of independent designers and artists, continuing to ensure sure each new bakery its own character.
Bringing Cornish style to the latest opening were Redruth-based design studio A-Side, Truro lighting firm Studio Haran and Lin Lovekin, a willow basketmaker based in Porthleven.
Mat Finch, Cornish Bakery managing director, said, “We are beyond delighted to have opened our bespoke new community bakery in Witney.
“This marks an exciting investment in the high street, transforming a stunning, vacant property into a contemporary bakery destination for both locals and visitors.
“We’ve approached the building with real care, respecting its history while creating something confidently modern inside.
“Our ambition is always to create bakeries that feel relevant to the place they’re in rather than simply repeating the same design from town to town.”
Cornish Bakery has a long-term target of 400 outlets across the UK. Its full product range includes Cornish pasties and sausage rolls alongside the crafted and baked viennoiseries and cakes and coffee from the Cornwall-based B-Corp Origin Coffee.
