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    17

    Aug 2023

    Last Updated: 24/08/2023
    Business
    Business

    Secret Bakery set to open new shop in Harrogate station

    by Vicky Carr

    | 17 Aug, 2023
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    harrogate-station

    An established bakery is set to open a third outlet in the entrance to Harrogate railway station.

    The Secret Bakery, which has been based on Knaresborough Road since before the covid pandemic, is hoping to open the doors of its new shop next Friday, August 25.

    Owners Jane and James Spencer said they hope it will prove popular with office staff, commuters and visitors to town – and they are looking forward to the Station Gateway project.

    James told the Stray Ferret:

    "Because of the changes the council is planning, we're hoping to take the front of the shop out and put concertina doors in.
    "Then we could have it open and some pavement cafe seating."


    The couple took over The Secret Bakery in October 2020, after it was originally founded in a domestic kitchen in the Saints area of Harrogate.

    Despite the ongoing covid restrictions, James said it was a busy time, as many customers liked to buy from a small business and avoid the supermarkets.

    The new outlet on Station Parade will offer the same range of sandwiches, cakes and drinks for which the Secret Bakery is known.

    A second baker has already been recruited to increase capacity behind the scenes, and staff from elsewhere in the business will be moving to work in the central Harrogate shop.

    The secret bakery on Knaresborough Road

    The bakery on Knaresborough Road will remain open, as will a second unit in Knaresborough's Market Place, which opened last October.

    James said the Knaresborough shop had a strong start last autumn but has been quieter this year, perhaps down to lower than expected levels of tourism across the town.

    However, he is hopeful that being in the centre of Harrogate, close to other businesses and transport links, will prove successful.

    The unit was previously occupied by a cafe, but closed around eight months ago. James said the owner of the neighbouring shoe repair and key cutting shop had already been in touch to welcome the new business.

    Its opening hours will be long than the other two Secret Bakery shops, with James and Jane hoping to catch commuters from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

    James added:

    "I saw this place originally and didn't think much of it, but then the cogs started turning. It means we're in town rather than the outskirts.
    "It's in the process of being refurbished. We weren't planning on doing much, but then we thought, 'let's do it properly before we open'.
    "They're due to finish soon, then we need to get the fridges and things in, and we're hoping to be open next Friday."