In Pateley Bridge there are signs of a gentle retail revival after the devastating impact of coronavirus.
This week, a bakers shop returned, adding to the two butchers, the oldest sweet shop in England and many other independent businesses, including cafes, pubs, restaurants and takeaways, that occupy the High Street.
In February, The Old Bakehouse, which had traded at the foot of the High Street for many years, closed its doors.
Now, six months later, new owners have refurbished the premises re-ordered the layout to cater for social distancing requirements and called their shop Yorkshire Born & Bread.
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The Chandler family – brothers Lee and Shaun and their wives Elizabeth and Tilly – are the joint owners of the new bakery and have already made a name for themselves in the town over the past four years, with the way in which they have transformed and expanded the Spar shop across the road.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Pateley Bridge Councillor Mike and Dr Janet Holt (pictured above) performed the opening ceremony and were served with the first loaf of bread baked on the premises.
Afterwards, Cllr Holt, said:
“I took the opportunity to thank the Chandlers for the tremendous effort they have made to help the local community over the last five months, and to wish them every success in their new venture.”
During the coronavirus crisis the Spar shop has provided a central hub for free home deliveries made to people living in self-isolation throughout the Pateley Bridge area – a service supported by volunteers, including staff from the Bewerley Park outdoor learning centre.
Lee Chandler, said:
“The number of people in self-isolation has reduced, but we are still handling between 60 and 100 orders a week.”
The Chandler family, who were born, bred and educated in Nidderdale and proud of their Yorkshire roots, clearly don’t mind a challenge.
Tilly, told the Stray Ferret:
“We were all busy with the existing shop, but decided to open the bakery as well and just worked around the clock to make it happen.”
