The Bluebird is landing: Yorkshire bakery opens in Kirkgate Market

One of Yorkshire’s most popular bakeries is set to open its third shop inside the newly restored Kirkgate Market on the 18^th February 2017.

Bluebird Bakery, which also has shops on York’s historic Shambles and in Malton - ‘Yorkshire’s food capital’ - is branching into West Yorkshire and hopes to drum up similar enthusiasm from big city customers.

Bluebird Bakery belongs to a family of ‘real bread’ independents and is a member of the Real Bread Campaign - meaning that all of its loaves meet the criteria set by the charity: long fermented, naturally yeasted and hand-shaped loaves. All the bread is also baked using organic flour.

The bakery also specialises in award-winning chocolate brownies and much-lauded pastries such as the pork & fennel and spinach & chickpea rolls, among other favourites.

Husband and wife owners and founders Al and Nicky Kippax are excited about the prospect of the Leeds launch. Nicky said:

“Leeds is a buzzing vibrant city - and nowhere embodies that big city energy more than Kirkgate Market. We’re thrilled to be joining some of the best food producers in Europe’s largest undercover market.”

Al continued: “This is just how bread used to be made - with nothing processed and nothing artificial. We use traditional methods and simple, wholesome ingredients and we’ll be offering Leeds customers a taste of real Yorkshire bread - be that sourdough, rye, ciabatta or a good old traditional bloomer.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s lead member in regeneration, transport and planning said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Bluebird Bakery to the team at Kirkgate Market. I’m sure they will become very popular with our existing and new customers alike.

“Kirkgate is already home to some amazing characters, bursting with history and offering great value. We are very proud of what the market already has to offer and excited that new traders, like Bluebird Bakery, are able to take advantage of the recent refurbishment which is attracting new customers as well as the existing loyal customer base.”

Leeds City Council has invested over £13 million in a major refurbishment of the market, to make sure the building is fit for the future as well as offering a new shopping and leisure experience. The redevelopment included redesigning the layout and offering everything today’s shopper might expect – bright spacious fresh food areas, space for speciality markets, a dedicated events space with eight metre LED screen and a place to meet friends, sample cuisines from around the world and make use of the free Wi-Fi.

These smart new spaces, which opened last year, sit alongside the stunning architecture and traditional market layout of the Victorian and Edwardian halls.

Bluebird Bakery is offering all new Leeds customers free tastings and special offers until the end of February. For more information visit www.bluebirdbakery.co.uk Bluebird Bakery will be located in unit 28A at the top of Row 1.