Cornish Bakery, the independent, founder-driven company that first opened its doors in Mevagissey, Cornwall, has this week revealed its fully refurbished and restyled bakery in Swanage. This significant £150,000 investment aims to provide a high-quality, stylish destination for both the local Dorset community and visitors to enjoy all year round.
As one of the UK’s most successful bakery brands, Cornish Bakery temporarily closed its Institute Road location for two weeks to carry out extensive renovations. The work involved a complete transformation of both the interior and exterior, with the newly styled bakery officially reopened by the town’s mayor, Councillor Tina Foster, on Wednesday 26th February.
A Long-Standing Presence in Swanage
Cornish Bakery has been an integral part of Swanage’s town centre since 2011, providing year-round employment for over 10 local people, all of whom underwent retraining during the refurbishment period. The bakery has also consistently supported the local RNLI, further cementing its role in the community.
Passers-by will immediately notice the striking new exterior, painted in Farrow & Ball’s distinctive ‘Sulking Room Pink’ shade. Inside, seating capacity has nearly tripled, from just 12 pre-refurbishment to 34, catering to increasing consumer demand. A stunning new bench seating arrangement hugs the large bay windows, complemented by plush lounge and dining chairs upholstered in Yarwood heritage leather. Premium oak and marble tables add to the refined aesthetic, while an elegant window display showcases an array of cakes and viennoiseries.
Herringbone flooring has been installed for a timeless touch, and real marble countertops enhance the bakery’s high-end feel. Carefully curated design elements, including brushed brass accents and Hoxton Bottle Green porcelain tiles, create a perfect balance of warmth, depth, and sophistication. The refurbishment also incorporates an innovative new Clayworks Clay wall, designed in collaboration with Cornwall-based Clayworks, which specialises in using natural materials to create beautiful, sustainable architectural finishes. The wall adds an earthy aesthetic while improving air quality with its breathable properties, set against handcrafted feature pendant and wall lighting.
Celebrating Cornish Craftsmanship
Given the company’s Cornish roots, Cornish Bakery is committed to showcasing the talents of South West artists and makers. The Swanage bakery is adorned with inspirational artwork from the likes of William Luz, Sophie Harding, Ella Carty, Cat Charman, and A-Side Design, creating a welcoming and visually engaging environment.
All Cornish Bakery products are freshly made and baked on-site daily, with an open kitchen layout allowing customers to watch as the team mixes, shapes, kneads, and bakes throughout the day. Managing Director Mat Finch expressed his excitement about the refurbishment, stating: “We absolutely love Swanage and take great pride in having a Cornish Bakery here. It is such a stylish and trendy year-round location that may even become the Dorset Town of Culture in 2026. During the early part of this year, we are taking positive steps to invest in several of our properties and, most importantly, our team, who are vital to the everyday success of all our bakeries.”
He continued: “After many glorious years in Swanage, it was clear that a complete overhaul was required. Our brand has evolved significantly, our product range has expanded into a more comprehensive bakery experience, and coffee has become our best-selling product. Now, I am fully confident that we’ve created a premium, stylish space and experience for both residents and visitors, including their dogs! We’re looking forward to welcoming customers, both new and old, into our beautiful new space.”
A Taste of Excellence
The Swanage bakery continues to offer Cornish Bakery’s renowned products, including its award-winning pasties and sausage rolls, which have been praised by The Times food critic Giles Coren. Alongside these favourites, the menu features freshly baked viennoiseries, cakes, and handmade Cornish pasties, as well as new bestsellers such as the twice-baked Pistachio Croissant, filled with homemade frangipane and pistachio cream, and the Shakshuka Croissant, combining lightly spiced roasted peppers and sun-dried tomatoes with a cheesy béchamel sauce.
Cornish Bakery also maintains a long-standing partnership with the B-Corp certified speciality coffee company Union, ensuring ethically sourced, high-quality coffee. Additionally, the bakery proudly sources a large proportion of its ingredients from producers, growers, and suppliers across Cornwall and the South West.
A perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon treat, the Swanage Bakery, under the leadership of Manager Rosie Wylie and her dedicated team, is ready to welcome customers daily from 8am to 5pm.
