A popular Cotswold baker who started out in Cheltenham has revealed an exciting expansion plan which will see the business take up bigger premises in Stroud.
The Artisan Baker, which was an original trader in Stroud’s Five Valleys shopping centre when it opened five years ago, says steady demand for its produce is now enabling the business to take on the adjacent unit in the retail centre’s Food Hall.
Owner Ori Hellerstein, whose first success is located on Cheltenham’s Imperial Square, said he plans to take on the Stroud unit occupied by Los Cubanos, which is now set to relocate to a new purpose-built market unit within the retail centre.
Work has started this week on the Market Hall edits which will also see the creation of a new bar area alongside the Los Cubanos unit. The expanded Artisan Baker and the all-new Cuban restaurant space will be unveiled later in the summer.
Mr Hellerstein said: “The additional space will give The Artisan Baker the much-needed room to expand its baking capacity and meet the growing demands of our wholesale business. It also enables the team to broaden its popular range of baked goods and introduce a brand-new café area, offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch options, as well as fresh sandwiches and toasties.”
The changes also provide a larger prep area, along with expanded baking and kitchen facilities to support both retail and wholesale operations, he said.
He added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to grow our presence at Five Valleys and build on the loyal customer base we’ve already established. Our aim is to create a beautiful café and bakery similar to what weve developed at our Imperial Park branch in Cheltenham, with a fresh menu featuring dishes like Eggs Benedict and our popular shakshuka.”
The changes will take the cover provision for the outlet to more than 20 and create a more complete café experience, serving dishes on elegant crockery in a clean, welcoming setting, he said. “While dining in, customers will also be able to see our bakers in action through our open-plan bakerybaking fresh goods and showcasing their craft.”
Meanwhile, the plan for Los Cubanos will see the business move to on a space adjoining the seating area in the Food Hall also creating the colourful new bar area, serving drinks including the Los Cubanos signature Mojito. The move comes in response to the Market Hall’s popularity as a evening venue.
A spokesperson for Manchester-based Dransfield Properties, who own the retail centre, said: “All businesses will continue to trade throughout the improvement works which will be completed in the summer. Owners of Los Cubanos Alexis Medina and H Plewis are looking forward to the move and in the meantime will be operating a pop-up stall at the centre.”
Mr Medina said: “We are really excited about the move to continue offering our Cuban menu, alongside a great drinks offering.”
Erica Malpass, Centre Manager at Five Valleys, said:: “Our late Friday market is really popular, and a new bar area is going to allow us to build on that, creating the potential for more evening activities. The plans look fantastic, and we can’t wait to see the finished units.
Other offerings at the Food Hall include: French patisserie, authentic Biryani, sushi and Thai dishes as well as cakes and macarons.
Photographs show: Alexis from Los Cubanos in the seating area at the Five Valleys Market and the Ori from the Artisan Baker team in the soon to be expanded unit.
