A bakery in Altrincham has scooped multiple awards at a national awards ceremony.
Lovingly Artisan Bakery, which trades out of Altrincham Market, has landed the Retailer of the Year at the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2024, hosted on Monday night (April 29) at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
A team of leading experts judged the entries online before coming together last November to deliberate and shortlist the contenders, and later in January and February they visited anonymously before the winners, and overall Retailer of the Year, were decided.
Owner of Lovingly Artisan Bakery, which also scooped accolades for the Baker of the Year and North England regional winner, Catherine Connor said: ‘’We’re all totally blown away.
"We didn’t expect to win any awards, but to come away with three demonstrates just how exceptional every member of our team is.
"The annual Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards are one of the biggest in the food and drink industry and to come away with the overall title is absolutely amazing.’’
She added: ‘’For us the customer journey is extremely important, you can have the best products in the world but if you don’t get the whole customer experience right from the start people will simply vote with their feet.
"Which is why every single member of the team works hard each and every day to ensure that all of our customers get the best possible experience when they shop with us.
"So that they can really enjoy the whole experience of buying healthy nourishing artisan sourdough bread for their family table.’’
The bakery, which also has stores in Kendal and Cumbria, beat off competition from across the UK and Northern Ireland.
Comments about Lovingly Artisan from the board of judges, some of which were former Retailer of the Year winners, read: "Innovative business methods, knowledgeable and passionate staff, fantastic turnover.
"Strong brand identity on website, fabulous subscription boxes online and high following on Instagram. Love the bread truck concept. Great entry.
"This excellent bakery has innovation with its new wood chip oven which has increased turnover, and, because of this, they have a good carbon footprint. I like their bread van. Mobile shop idea going to Farmers Markets. Lovely to see crusty loaves of bread on display in their shop.”
While Nigel Barden, a food and drink journalist who was on the judging panel, added: “I’m delighted we’ve awarded category and regional winners, and this year’s Retailer of the Year has also picked up the accolades of Best Baker and Best Retailer in the North of England.
"Aidan Monks has been baking for 35 years and the Kendal and Altrincham bakeries that he and Catherine Connor, his wife, run are sublime - as are the team who work with them.
"Such worthy champions, joining a select band of previous Retailers of the Year."
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