Column Bakehouse, the successful artisan bakery started at Devonport Guildhall, has announced plans to open a second café outlet and a ‘Bakehouse Stores’ shop inside Ocean Studios at the prestigious Royal William Yard, Plymouth.

The Bakehouse which is run by pioneering social enterprise RIO – the Real Ideas Organisation – was opened in 2013 and has grown from strength to strength, cementing its position as Plymouth’s premier artisan bakery, supplying a range of restaurants and trade customers as well as operating the popular café and shop at Devonport Guildhall.

When RIO took on the running of Ocean Studios at Royal William Yard in April 2017, the potential for a second Column Bakehouse café and shop quickly became apparent.

RIO’s Head of Enterprises Claire Burgess explains: “Having grown a successful retail and wholesale bakery business from Devonport Guildhall we have been looking at options for a second outlet for some time.

“When we took on the management and running of Ocean Studios back in April, we began to explore how a Column Bakehouse café and Bakehouse Stores could work within the venue and support the community of makers as well as contribute to the food offer for visitors on the Yard.

“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Column Bakehouse to Ocean Studios, the café will bring more of the great, fresh food that customers have been enjoying at our café in Devonport, with a hearty helping of our handcrafted artisan bread, with eat in and takeaway options available. The Bakehouse Stores will stock the staples that visitors and residents on the yard might need, all of which are either locally sourced – including our artisan bread – or from social enterprise suppliers.”

"We are delighted to welcome Column Bakehouse to Royal William Yard,” said Emily Handslip, Director, Urban Splash. “Royal William Yard has become the best place to work, rest and play in the South West. We’re really excited about the bakery opening at Ocean Studios - it will be a fantastic addition to the Yard food offering.” Column Bakehouse Stores is set to open in June, with the Column Bakehouse café at Ocean Studios opening in July.