The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Rising to city challenge
Vegan Bay Baker is preparing to delight customers with the launch of a new shop in the heart of Aberdeen, writes
Aberdeen residents will soon find it even easier to get their hands on produce by Vegan Bay Baker as the firm recently announced it is opening a new shop in the city. Founded by Steven Buchan in 2019, the firm, which specialises in craft vegan baking, began as a venture run in the entrepreneur’s home in Cruden Bay, where he produced everything from breads and pies to butteries, scones, traybakes, biscuits and cakes.
But around three months ago, Steven branched out by launching his first store on Peterhead’s Broad Street.
Now, the talented baker is preparing to open his second shop in the north-east – this time in the Granite City.
It will be located on Castlegate, in the former RS McColl’s space.
‘IT HAS LOTS OF POTENTIAL’
The shop will be known as Vegan Bay Baker and Steven is hopeful for a summer opening date.
He said he’s been keen on opening a shop in Aberdeen “since the beginning of Vegan Bay Baker”.
“It will be accessible for the majority of our custom and we know we have a lot of customers already excited about it,” he added.
“We saw the property advertised a while ago, so I arranged a viewing and instantly loved it.
“The space is huge. It used to be a post office so there is a big space out the front, as well as the initial part when you come in.
“The size and potential were ticking loads of boxes. It’s taken a while since our initial viewing but I’m sure it’s going to be worth it.”
A SUMMER OPENING
Steven picked up the keys last week and work is due to get under way on transforming the space in the near future.
He plans on taking on a few members of staff, while also transferring one member of the Peterhead shop team to help with the opening.
Steven said: “We are hoping to have everything organised as soon as we can.
It doesn’t need a complete overhaul but does need a decent amount of work.
“We are so excited to finally have a shop in Aberdeen. Honestly, we get asked so much about opening a shop in the city so it’s going to be great.”
The talented baker says the new shop will allow the business to reach even more customers.
“Peterhead has proven really successful so far but we do often get told that people wish we had somewhere closer to Aberdeen,” he added.
“The shop itself has great potential to expand into different areas as well if we decide to do so.
“We are just so grateful to our loyal customers who continue to support us and allow us to grow. We’re still just a small team and all the members of our team work incredibly hard.”
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AND ALLOW US TO GROW