New bakery Maryport Born and Bread to open on Senhouse Street

Stuart Eve, 57, is preparing to open Maryport Born and Bread on Senhouse Street in the former Heals Opticians next month after seeing success with a pop-up shop.

Customers have been queueing round the corner to get a taste of his artisan breads, which have sold out in minutes.

Stuart Eve's artisan breads have sold out in minutes at a pop-up shop (Image: Submitted)

Stuart said: “Just before Christmas, there was a shop advertising for pop-ups so we asked them and decided we’d do one. We ended up just doing it the following weekend and loved it.

“There was a brilliant turnout. They were queueing round the corner and I sold out in about 10 minutes.

“Since then, I’ve done four or five pop-ups. Every time I’ve baked a bit more and they sell out. There are queues round the block and lots of regular customers. It’s gone really well.”

Cinnamon rolls will be sold at the new bakery (Image: Submitted)

Stuart will juggle his job as a chartered building surveyor with The National Trust based in Grasmere with running the new business.

He was born and bred in Maryport and has previously lived in London and Newcastle, before moving back to his hometown eight years ago.

Stuart said his love of baking bread over the last 10 years had inspired him to open his own bakery.

His family have all helped with selling and setting up and other family members have helped in the shop purchase too.

He said: “I started doing a bit more during Covid and giving more to family. Ultimately, it’s my love of baking bread but also providing decent good-quality bread and food.

“Obviously, there isn’t a bakery in Maryport anymore. We had one that burnt down, sadly.

“I’m not really a businessman – I just love baking bread so thought I’d give it a go.

The artisan bakery will sell delicious breads including sourdough loaves (Image: Submitted)

“We’ve got a banner up in the front of the shop and people are asking all the time, as they’re walking past. It’s really positive. People are looking forward to it.”

The artisan bakery will sell sour dough loaves, teacakes and baguettes, along with cinnamon rolls and Cumberland sausage rolls with meat sourced from Peter Walsh’s butchers, in Maryport.

Stuart said it was good to see new businesses opening in the town as part of a  £12million regeneration scheme.

He added: “Where I’m opening up, at the top of Senhouse Street, is changing because of the money and grant funding. There’s quite a few little businesses opening up.

“That little section of street is turning into a little food quarter. Maryport is changing for the better.”