A fast-growing bakery chain has downsized one of its north Norfolk sites from a restaurant to a cafe-takeaway service.

Two Magpies Bakery said it had decided to close its restaurant in Holt and consolidate the site into a Mini Magpies to appeal to the local consumer base.

There is a growing demand for takeaway food rather than sit down meals, it said. It will retain 28 covers for those looking to dine in.

The bakery and cafe group has six bakery and cafe sites across Suffolk and Norfolk, along with three other Mini Magpies outlets in Southwold, Beccles and Wells-Next-The-Sea.

The Holt site will  target customers seeking a quick coffee or baked treat or locals looking for lunch.

The stores stock homemade bread, hand-laminated pastries and sweet bakes, a range of Viennoiseries and takeaway baked goods, as well as 27 covers available for those looking to dine in. 

Operations director Yasmin Wyatt pointed out that its Blakeney cafe is just five minutes away for those customers seeking a restaurant experience.

“We are excited about the rebrand of our Holt site, which will better suit the needs of those in the local community, offering all the same great customer service and delicious bakes, but placing more emphasis on items that can be eaten on the go," she said.

“We originally opened our Holt site three years ago and our team has built a great relationship with customers here.

"It is because of this, and the great feedback we have received for our other Mini Magpies sites, that we feel this is a really positive change for the local area, catering for the growing demand for great-tasting coffee and baked treats to takeaway.".

Two Magpies opened its first outlet in Southwold in 2013, and has since established a central bakery and baking school in Darsham, as well as bakery/cafes in Aldeburgh, Norwich, Framlingham, Blakeney, and Woodbridge across Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Holt business will be open seven days a week, and will focus largely on takeaway sales.