A FAMILY-run bakery which has served the community for nearly 40 years has reached the final of a competition run by the Telegraph & Argus.
The T&A recently launched its Best Bakery 2024 competition, with readers invited to share their favourite businesses.
Nominations were made through our online voting platform and they have now been whittled down to the final 10.
Today we are highlighting G & J Pitt Family Bakers, which opened its bakery on Swain House Road in 1985.
Stephen Pitt, who co-owns G & J Pitt Family Bakers with his dad Geoff Pitt, said: “My dad started working at the bakery there in the 1970s, and the previous owner retired and my dad bought it in 1985. It’s been in our family now for 39 years."
When asked what it meant to be nominated for the T&A award, Stephen said: “It’s a good a thing for us because we’ve been doing this for a very long time.
“We make everything from scratch. We do a lot of teacakes for sandwiches, fresh bread, confectionery, pies, and pastries.
“I would say our most popular item without a doubt is our teacake. It’s what we’re known for.
“From flour to coming out of the oven, there is no machinery involved. We roll each one by hand.”
He described the bakery as traditional in how things are made.
Stephen also explained the important role the bakery plays in the local community.
“We get our customers a sandwich and a piece of this and a piece of that and off they go.
“Our customers and the people around us are important to us. Everyone we employ lives in the local area.”
Stephen also explained how busy the bakery has been, seeing an uptick in custom after Covid.
“We’ve been very busy,” he said. “Since we opened back up after Covid, I’d say trade at the bakery has increased by 20 per cent.
“We also do catering for funerals, weddings and parties."
Don't miss out on your chance to vote for who you think should win the T&A Best Bakery 2024.
All you need to do is fill out the voting form, which can be found in the T&A.
The voting coupon will run in the newspaper until September 14, so there is plenty of opportunity to make sure the bakery you think is the best is in with a chance of taking the top spot.
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