A young couple have revived a disused bakery space in a historic Plymouth landmark to launch the city’s first vegan sourdough bakery.
Based in the former Column Bakehouse kitchen at the Devonport Guildhall, Heyl Bakery will use only plant-based ingredients and a blend of locally-grown, organic and heritage grains, to produce a delicious range of naturally leavened loaves and buns, alongside a variety of tasty vegan sweet treats, including cinnamon buns, cookies and tarts.
Founders Sam Dennis – an experienced baker who previously worked at the esteemed E5 Bakehouse in London – and Kate Langston, a highly-skilled homebaker, are both passionate about using the new businesses to promote sustainable food practices and support the UK’s dedicated community of food producers.
The couple have long dreamed of opening their own business, but the tumultuous events of lockdown – including the passing of Kate’s father over the summer – prompted the couple to take the leap and relocate from London to Kate’s hometown of Plymouth to transform their dream into reality.
The venture was made possible with the support of the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO) – a local charity that offers a range of support to communities, individuals and businesses to help them develop and thrive.
As well as owning the Guildhall building, RIO also managed Column Bakehouse, but after making the decision to close Column during last year’s lockdown, they gave new businesses the opportunity to apply to use the bakery space through their Start Something scheme.
“The last few years have seen a growing awareness of the need to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, as well as a desire to shop more locally and know more about where our food comes from,” said Sam.
“The South West is home to an amazing community of food producers, and we are eager to use every opportunity to celebrate locally-grown and sustainably-produced ingredients in our bakes.
“We are also keen to show people that they can enjoy the same tasty baked goods they know and love, while also reducing their impact on the environment,” added Kate.
“The rise in vegan-friendly businesses in places like Plymouth demonstrates that there is a strong appetite for plant-based products, and we are excited to do our bit to contribute to the city’s flourishing foodie scene.”
The bakery is currently taking pre-orders for collections from the Ocean Studios cafe on Fridays, and hopes to expand this offering soon. More details can be found on their lnstagram page @HeylBaker and in the coming weeks they will be launching an online shop at www.heylbakery.com.
“Despite only launching in December, we have been blown away by the support we have received from fellow businesses and the local community,” said Sam.
“As we develop and grow, we can’t wait to get to know more of our fellow food producers, and would love to hear from anyone interested in supplying us or collaborating in some way.”
