Brownbread bakery to open its first store in Woodbridge

Brownbread bakery is a familiar sight at markets across the region and has built a strong customer base over the last few years.

It is based in Essex – but sells its bread, cakes, and pastries at markets across the the south of England.

It already has a large stall in the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge every day, but is preparing to open its first actual shop in the unit that was previously The Cake Shop Bakery.

Ryan Brown from the company said the new store should open its doors at the end of January or the beginning of February – it is already causing a stir in Woodbridge.

It is preparing the former home of The Cake Shop Bakery for its new use and will be selling coffee alongside its baked goods.

The Cake Shop Bakery closed at the end of 2021 after being run by the same family for 75 years but now Brownbread is set to bring the building back to life.

The company has run a stall beside the site every day since the start of 2023 – and has had a presence on Woodbridge market for seven years.

It also has stalls on different days in Ipswich and Framlingham, and shoppers can also find them in Colchester, Ely and Chelmsford.

Brownbread also operates at several London markets – and at locations as far away as Petersfield and Worthing in Hampshire and Sussex.

John Risby, director of Choose Woodbridge, said: "It is great to hear new life is being brought to the former Cake Shop building with the arrival of Brownbread Bakery. It is great news for the town centre.

John Risby, of Choose Woodbridge (Image: Choose Woodbridge)

"We now only have a couple of vacant units in the Thoroughfare and independent names like this are only going to bring more people to the town.

"Brownbread are already a popular name in the town through their market stalls and we wish them all the success as they move into their new home."

And the new store will help cement Woodbridge's reputation for artisan baking – the town is already home to some of Suffolk's finest bakeries and cafes.