Social enterprise The Larder has opened the doors of Livingston’s first artisan bakery – supporting hungry people in West Lothian and developing trainee chefs and bakers.
Opened in Brucefield Industrial Estate in Bellsquarry, the new in-person bakery follows the success of the enterprise’s online bakery shop which was introduced in December 2021.
The Larder had planned to open the bakery in 2020, but was set back by the pandemic restrictions.
Offering artisanal bakery products, the in-person location will provide additional training and development for people interested in learning the tricks of the trade.
An apprentice chef/baker is already in training at the bakery – with The Larder intent on growing its own talent over the coming years by recruiting unemployed aspiring bakers.
In opening, the online bakery and now their bakery shop The Larder has created five new posts, one of them a trainee chef/baker who is supported by a head chef and two bakers who have over 50 years of baking between them.
The newly-appointed front of house lead manages the customer service and the director of food enterprise has responsibility for growing the social enterprise trading income.
The bakery pairs with the enterprises already existing café in the Strathbrock Partnership Centre in Broxburn.
As a social enterprise, The Larder makes a valuable contribution to the local economy with 100 per cent of their profits being reinvested into the development of their training services and food poverty project.
The Larder’s ‘social food project’ differs from the national standard response to food poverty by providing nutritious meals and a safe space for those experiencing food insecurity – with the goal being to create access to good quality food in a dignified way.
The project also provides a space for trainees to gain work experience in the industry as well as providing a venue for social interaction and community cohesion over food.
Angela Moohan, CEO, The Larder, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have opened the first artisan bakery in Livingston.
“I know that our existing and new customers will love our products that are hand crafted and freshly baked every morning.
“We are proud that a social enterprise is able to create five new jobs at a time of the worst economic crisis in living memory.
“When local people buy our products, the profits stay in West Lothian and are used to develop much-needed services so that everyone has the chance to reach their true potential.”
