Britain’s oldest bakery which made biscuits for the founding fathers to take to America on the Mayflower has been given a modern twist by new owners.
Jacka Bakery in Plymouth in Devon is the oldest bakery in the UK dating back over 400 years to the early 1600s.
The shop even provided snacks that were taken across the Atlantic by the Pilgrim Fathers on their historic voyage to the New World in 1620.
It has flourished for around 400 years and has recently been taken over by new owners, Paul and Sue Laughton.
They have vowed to keep its historic reputation intact but also bring it into the 21st century.
The Grade II listed building has many original features including an Elizabethan balcony at the rear, and has been a staple for both locals and tourists for hundreds of years.
The bakery was originally ran as a family business until it was taken over by Friary Mill, the most recent owners before the Laughtons.
But Friary Mill decided to sell the property, as it didn’t fit with their current portfolio – and the Laughton’s snapped it up.
Paul, a carpet fitter, and Sue, a civil litigation clerk, both 49, will be sticking to their day jobs and leaving the running of the business to their son Owen, 23, and his partner, Carly Innes, 27.
Owen, a baker by trade, is looking forward to the challenge, and has been helping out with the rest of the family to get it ready for its opening day, which has included fixing a 300-year-old oven.
The whole family have pitched in and now, after being closed for nearly a month, the shop is ready to be opened on May 23.
Sue Laughton, from Plymouth, Devon, said: “We chose Jacka Bakery because of its rich history. It’s been here so long, I think it is important to keep it going.
“Our intention is to provide a top-class traditional artisan bakery where everything is baked on-site but there will be some modern twists and innovative products.
“It’s taken longer than we thought. We got the keys at the end of April, and we’re opening this Saturday.
“We’ve had problems along the way such as delayed deliveries and with renovating the flat upstairs, it’s been quite an undertaking.
“We have a 300-year-old oven which we are hoping to get restored, but so far we haven’t been able to find anyone qualified to do it.
“It’s been a real family effort, everyone has been mucking in, even my 73-year-old mum Mo has been helping clean and prepare the bakery.
“The business will be run on a day-to-day basis by Owen and Carly while Paul and I keep our day jobs and support the business when we can.
“I’m very scared and nervous, because we are quite different to the previous owners, Friary Mill.
“The general feedback has been positive, but we realise it will be very hard work. It is a very exciting venture for us all.
“We have had a lot of feedback from people being glad it is owned by a family business and not a large corporation. Jacka is an important name in Plymouth’s history and we are proud to be custodians of it.”
The bakery was sold by Paul Goss of Huntley & Partners estate agents.
Paul Goss said: “Businesses with the historic credentials of Jacka don’t come on to the market that often.
“It has been a profitable operation benefiting from resident’s custom and trade from yacht owners and the fishing community as well as year-round business from thousands of tourists.
“Now it’s in family hand I can see the business being taken to another level.”
