Happy birthday: Two Magpies Bakery celebrates a decade of rapid expansion
Mini me
Earlier this year, Two Magpies expanded its family, opening its first Mini Magpie in the market town of Beccles.
The café – which opened at the end of January – is a little different to its standard outlets with a smaller format (just 10 covers) especially targeting takeaway sales for commuters who want to grab a handmade bake and coffee for on-the-go. The group is set to open its next Mini Magpie in May, in Wells-next-the-Sea on the north coast of Norfolk.
Bake school
Two Magpies also opened a purpose-build Bake School in 2020. Situated adjacent to its main production bakery in Darsham, the school’s curriculum covers numerous modules, including sourdough masterclasses, gluten-free baking, Scandinavian baking, working with ancient grains and a bagel & pretzel class, among others.
“We are so proud to be celebrating ten years in business,” said Steve Magnall, owner of Two Magpies Bakery.
“Every day our amazing team of [over 200] bakers, pastry chefs and baristas bring expertise and passion to what they do best – transforming quality ingredients into delicious products and putting customer service first.
“And because of our committed team, we have not only been able to survive some difficult years during the pandemic but have been able to look ahead and plan for the next stage of expansion.”
Click & Collect
Two Magpies has seen a substantial increase in demand for its Click & Collect celebration cake service. It has now expanded its range of Click & Collect services to include a catering menu, offering luxury grazing boards and boxes that are ideal for weddings, celebrations and special events.
Supper club
Earlier this month, it also debuted its first Supper Club, a pop-up event that featured some of the bakery’s preferred suppliers across Norfolk & Suffolk, such as Tosier chocolatemaker, an independent family business known for its bean to bar chocolate made from fully traceable single origin cocoa beans; and Hill Farm Oils, which has been providing cold pressed on a family farm since 2004; among others.
“The last couple of years have seen rapid growth for us; we’ve introduced our new ‘Mini Magpies’ concept which marks our next stage for expansion as demand for our produce increases across the whole region,” said Magnall.
Added Yasmin Wyatt, Two Magpies’ operations director, “Since opening in Southwold over 10 years ago, we have brought Two Magpies Bakery to towns and villages across East Anglia.
“We have developed a strong identity for delivering beautiful handmade treats, using only the best ingredients, while offering great customer service.”
Two Magpies Bakery was opened by husband and wife team Rebecca Bishop and Steve Magnall in 2013. From small beginnings in Southwold, the group now boasts a central bakery and bakeschool in Darsham, along with bakery cafés in Aldeburgh, Norwich, Blakeney, Holt, Woodbridge & Beccles, producing a range of high quality artisanal breads and pastries.
Two Magpies Bakery Group proudly holds Regional Winner of the National Bakery Awards 2020, Best Independent Retailer 2020 and Best Cafe in Suffolk (Aldeburgh) 2022.
