Loaf MCR, the cult Manchester bakery, will launch its new bakery unit on Oxford Road over Bonfire Night weekend. The bakery and cafe, which is ‘retro designed’ in bright pink, specialises in loaf cakes and will set up in the spot left vacant by Patisserie Valerie.
It’s the concept of baker Aiden Ryan, who started baking during the pandemic to raise money for the NHS. The cakes soon became a hit, with Aiden supplying more than a dozen cafes across the city, and high-end shops including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.
“It feels like forever since we got the keys to the old Patisserie Valerie, but it seems we’re finally here! I cannot wait to show you the store and all the love we've had put into it!” he said. “We think you will absolutely love it. I can’t thank everyone enough for helping make this a reality!”
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"Loaf will make a wonderful addition to the thriving Oxford Road corridor,” said Charlotte Wild of Bruntwood Works, which owns the building. “The fantastic range of handmade cakes will add an exciting new dimension to the neighbourhood. It's great to see Aiden and his team open their first bricks and mortar site in Manchester city centre, and we are delighted to be supporting independent businesses on their journey, especially such a great local success story born out of the challenges of COVID.”
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The bakery opens to the public on November 4, with a host of special events and collaborations in the pipeline. It will be joining with Oxford Road neighbours Bundobust on a special loaf cake, and hosting Late Night Loaf Fridays, which will see them collaborating with natural wine purveyors Alive Wines.
There will also be Christmas workshops and a merchandise collaboration with non-profit fashion brand The Blank Faces, which supports the homeless charity The Mustard Tree.
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