The renowned artisan Angel Bakery in Abergavenny is to open a new large shop on Wednesday 25th November which will support local producers at this difficult time for small local businesses.
Head bakers Sophie Kumar and Polly Hunter say: “It was always our long term plan to open a larger shop but the decision has been accelerated by Covid-19.” Since reopening the original small shop after the first lockdown, restrictions on space have meant that they can only serve one person or household at a time which has meant that customers haven’t been able to browse. The new shop will have lots more space so people can shop at a more leisurely pace, as well as being able to choose from a wider range of food and drink.
Sophie Kumar continues: “Our aim is to create a shop where customers can enjoy a direct relationship with the people who produce their food. We hope that it is not only an opportunity to buy delicious food and ingredients, but to understand the ethos behind and importance of local producers. We are really glad that, as producers, we can all continue to support each other throughout the difficulties that Covid-19 has brought to our industries.”
The new shop on the town’s main shopping street will be open for at least six months, serving the bakery’s range of sourdough bread, baguettes, focaccia, pastries and festive specials. Alongside baked goods there will be a butchery counter run by Wild By Nature selling their pasture-fed meat reared in the Black Mountains; natural and biodynamic wines selected by Chesters Wine Merchants, British cheeses from Neal’s Yard Dairy and the local Neal’s Yard Creamery, and specialist secondhand food and drink books from Broadleaf Books. For the festive season they will also stock treats like mince pies, stollen, cucumber pickles and quince paste made in house, fresh Italian citrus fruit, whole British-grown nuts, Welsh honey and marmalade and plenty more besides.
The Angel Bakery Store will be open Wednesday – Saturday 9am-4pm from the 25th November. Ahead of Christmas it will also open on Sunday 20th December, Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd and the morning of Thursday 24th.
The Angel Bakery also has an online shop selling bread, pastries, neat, milk, butter and cheese. Order online or by email for collection from the shop.
