Member Article

Homebird leaves the nest to spread business wings at Hoults Yard

A NEWCASTLE woman has swapped the classroom for the kitchen to launch a new bakery in the city’s ‘Business Village.’

Sophie Wardrop completed an English degree at the University of Sunderland before becoming a classroom assistant. But baking was always a hobby and now she has taken the plunge, leaving the world of education to set up her bakery, Homebird Bakery at Hoults Yard.

Homebird Bakery produces a variety of cakes, cookies, brownies and other luxury treats.

“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,” Sophie added.

She took over a space next to Rascals barbers, and spent several weeks installing a working kitchen.

“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,” said Sophie.

Charlie Hoult, Managing Director of Hyhubs, which incorporates Hoults Yard, Hypoint in Gateshead and Haylofts in Haymarket, Newcastle, welcomed Sophie and Homebird Bakery to the Yard: “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.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hoults Yard .