Community Bakery Unveiled In Dunbar

Opened on 6th October, the Dunbar Community Bakery was set up after the only other bakery in town closed in 2008, which had been serving residents for over 150 years.

300 members of the community raised almost £40,000 through the sale of community shares, and money from the Co-operative Loan Fund helped to pay for a complete refurbishment of the premises, as well as state-of-the-art baking equipment.

Janet Barnes, committee member and business development consultant, says, “Many of us wanted to be involved in developing a certain bakery, not a chain, that would serve good old-fashioned bread and develop the community at the same time. Without the loan finance it wouldn’t have gone ahead, the assistance has been vital.”

Staffed by three professional bakers with 65 years of combined experience and a front-of-house team, the bakery will sell high quality traditional breads, cakes and pastries with no additives, using locally-sourced ingredients.

There are also plans to provide training and employment opportunities for locals, and all profits will be reinvested back into the community.

Ian Taylor, of the Co-operative Loan Fund, adds, “Dunbar Community Bakery is the story of a community that has stuck at a plan through thick and thin. I am confident the bakery will be a success – it is run by professionals, located in a good spot and will no doubt bake delicious food.”