Following a significant overhaul, the Cornish Bakery in Swanage, Dorset, opened its doors for the first time in two weeks and welcomed customers in from the February rain.
The new look cafe and bakery in Institute Road has been enlarged with more seating, completely redecorated, and made a lot more welcoming with new furniture and beautiful new lighting.
The revamped Swanage branch of Cornish Bakery with its newly painted signage in Farrow and Ball’s trendy Sulking Room Pink
Inside, the counter area has new green tiling and more space to display tempting treats
Formal reopening by Swanage town mayor
One of the first customers to visit was Swanage town mayor Tina Foster and her consort Les Parkinson, who obligingly cut a ribbon to formally reopen the premises on Wednesday 26th February 2025.
The Cornish Bakery opened its shop, only metres from the seafront, in 2016 and has been a popular haunt for both locals and visitors with its large windows, ideal for people watching!
One of the first through the door were Swanage town mayor Tina Foster (right) and her consort Les Parkinson (left) welcomed by Swanage shop manager Rosie Wylie (centre)
Rosie says she’s very happy with the refurbishment
“I just can’t stop smiling!”
Rosie Wylie has worked at the Cornish Bakery in Swanage for two years and was promoted to manager in September 2024. She said:
“It’s amazing to become the manager and then for the shop to get a total refit – I’m so happy and I just can’t stop smiling!
“I love how it’s turned out and having the extra seating means we can welcome in more customers. There’s also little touches like the heater over the door and the better display areas by the counter, as well as the new decoration, which will make a big difference.”
A new wooden rail defines the seating area and the parquet flooring has been sanded and repolished
The toilet has been moved into an old office area, making more room available for the new tables and artwork
The best view to people watch, even when it’s raining!
Shelter from the rain
On the first day of reopening, the need for additional tables was very obvious when the heavens opened and lots of people headed into the cafe to shelter from the rain and warm themselves with a hot drink and have something to eat.
According to Rosie, one of the most popular pastries is the cherry and almond croissant, while the top selling pasty is the traditional pasty which is made in Cornwall but cooked on the premises in Swanage.
Rosie added:
“All our products are baked freshly everyday, which isn’t always the case elsewhere. That’s why they taste so good and why we have lots of regular customers, which is so lovely.
“While lots of people go for our traditional beef pasty, my favourite is the chicken masala pasty – it’s not too spicy and it has a lot of chicken in it. I’d really encourage people to pop in and give it a try.”
The cherry and almond croissant is a Swanage favourite with the Pain aux Raisan selling well too
Lunchtime rolls are freshly prepared daily
The traditional pasty sells well but Rosie says the chicken masala pasty is lush!
Employs 10 local people
The Cornish Bakery is an independent chain with 66 outlets in the UK and Swanage is one of five branches that have undergone recent major refurbishment.
It provides employment in Swanage for 10 local people all year round and the revamp represents a significant investment by the company in the seaside town.
The Cornish Bakery in 2022 before the makeover. The building was constructed after World War Two, on the site of the Westminster Bank which was bombed in 1942
The new exterior bring more style to Swanage in a prime location
“Stylish and trendy year-round location”
Cornish Bakery’s managing director, Mat Finch said:
“We absolutely love Swanage and take great pride in having a Cornish Bakery here. It is such a stylish and trendy year-round location.
“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.
“After many glorious years here in Swanage, it was clear that a complete overhaul was required, given that our brand has changed significantly, our product range has evolved into a more fulsome bakery experience and coffee has become our best seller.
“Now, I am fully confident that we’ve made it the premium, stylish space and experience for both residents in, and visitors to, the town, including their dogs! We’re looking forward to welcoming customers, new and old, into our beautiful new space.”
Watch the official reopening of the Cornish Bakery
Further information
- More about the Cornish Bakery on its website
