SCOTMID Co-operative and a series of local Scottish bakers are celebrating after the Edinburgh-based independent co-op opened its 100th in-store local bakery in Scotmid, Balloan in Inverness.
Scotmid has been adding bakeries to its stores across Scotland and Cumbria as part of a programme that began in August 2012 when it partnered with Stephens Bakery of Dunfermline to place its first local bakery, in its Polbeth shop.
The Balloan development means 100 stores have now been fitted with bakery counters with help from a local bakery partner. Many now offer cakes, savouries and baked goods and some stock locally made, artisan breads. Staff in the 100 outlets have received special training as part of the partnership.
Scotmid now has partnerships with seven Scottish craft bakers, including Ashers Bakery of Nairn (which is the partner at the Balloan shop), Aulds of Greenock; The Breadwinner Bakery of Edinburgh; Goodfellow & Steven of Dundee; JG Ross of Inverurie; Stephens Bakery of Dunfermline; and Stuart’s of Buckhaven. And it has recently developed a partnership with English baker Bryson’s of Keswick, for its Lakes and Dales Co-operative stores in Cumbria.
Stephen Brown, bakery and local sourcing manager for Scotmid Co-operative said: “We are absolutely delighted to be opening our 100th local bakery and feel honoured to be working in partnership with eight of the UK’s top bakers. Adding bakeries to our stores has been great for customers, the local communities we trade in and the bakeries too.”
