A former classroom assistant has turned her hobby into a business after launching a bakery at a business park in Newcastle.
Sophie Wardrop has left the education world to set up Homebird Bakery at Hoults Yard. The company produces a variety of cakes, cookies, brownies and other luxury treats.
She said: “I always wanted to be a teacher, but found myself spending more and more time baking and really enjoying it. I would spend most of the school holiday baking and demand for the cakes I was producing was growing,” she said.
“Eventually, I left my job and started baking commercially at home. It got to the point where I needed more space and Hoults Yard had been on the radar for a while. I’m a loyal customer of Proven Goods, the doughnut bakers, who are based on the Yard and liked the relaxed and friendly vibe.”
Ms Wardrop took over a space at Hoults Yard next to Rascals barbers, and spent several weeks installing a working kitchen.
She said: “The kitchen is perfect – just the right size for me and now I’m raring to go. It gives me the potential to grow the business, and I’m also selling cakes and traybakes from my unit on the yard.
“The business is growing, word has spread via social media and I’m taking orders from all over Tyneside and beyond.”
Charlie Hoult, managing director of Hoults Yard operators Hyhubs, said: “We’re delighted Sophie has joined our community. Homebird, together with the likes of Studio 28 Patisserie, Acropolis Food, the Clocktower Café, Proven Goods, Full Circle Brewery and Scream for Pizza, are changing the nature of Newcastle’s Business Village. We’re becoming a destination and a hub for artisan food and produce.
“We’re also somewhere you can work out at one of several gyms; play the craziest golf at Ghetto Golf, or get a bang on-trend haircut.
“We’re a key part of the success of the exciting regeneration of Ouseburn, where companies such as Tyne Bank Brewery, Brinkburn Street Brewery, Northern Rye, Ouseburn Coffee Company and The Cook House are proving a magnet for more and more people.”
