Commuters using Victoria and Salford Central stations may have noticed a new addition to their station on weekday evenings – a cart selling bread. It’s owned by Companio Bakery, Manchester’s first community-supported bakery, who are bringing artisan bread baked in Ancoats to the city centre. Time Out Manchester spoke to founder Russell Goodwin about the venture.
A small, grass-fronted unit tucked away in Ancoats opposite a car park may not be a traditional site for a bakery, but it’s now the home of Companio Bakery. The brainchild of Russell Goodwin, who formerly worked as a director at Handmade Bakery in Yorkshire, the venture is focused on bringing artisan bread, savouries and pastries to Manchester city centre.
Inspired by orders from clients in Manchester in his previous role, Russell decided to set up in the city as he knew there would be a demand for it. Selling in railway stations is big part of his plans - he wants to reach commuters who may not have time to visit his bakery during the day but can pick up a loaf on their way home from work.
'I want buying good bread to become a regular thing for people. It shouldn't be something special, but it's become that,' he says.
Another aspect that makes this bakery different is its community focus; it’s Manchester’s first community supported bakery. Funding for the bakery has come from loans from individuals based in the area who receive the interest on their investment in bread or bread-making courses, but it’s about more than just where the money comes from as the aim is to engage more with people.
A bread club has been set up which allows customers to place regular orders and pick them up at a time that suits them at nearby pizzeria Rudy’s if they can’t make it during his lunchtime opening hours, and Russell is keen to bring a sense of community to Ancoats.
He’s always eager to chat to the people who pop into the bakery to tell them about what he’s doing and answer their questions. ‘People have been very enthusiastic, it’s really heartening,’ he says.
Spend any time in his bakery over the lunchtime period and you’ll see people popping in to get a snack or some bread to take home and many of them express how happy they are to have somewhere to buy artisan and freshly baked items. ‘It’s great to see interesting bread’, said one visitor who'd been passing by.
The community spirit was invoked recently when Russell’s bike and trailer were stolen from a storage unit. With the help of local businesses and residents on social media, Greater Manchester Police were able to recover the trailer. Although the bike was not found, Northern Quarter bike shop Keep Pedalling kindly donated a replacement bike so he could get back out and selling his bread.
Russell says although it was a traumatic 24 hours he was heartened by people's goodwill and ‘wonderful community spirit’.
Despite the setback, he’s now back visiting train stations with his wares so next time you’re passing through Victoria or Salford Central of an evening you might spot Russell with his cart so you can avoid the supermarkets and buy locally made bread on your commute home.
Companio Bakery, Unit 6, Radium Street, open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-3pm. Cart at Manchester Victoria Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-6pm, Salford Central Wednesdays 4-6pm.
Read more from the Time Out Manchester blog.