Well-known bakery opens in former Shropshire bank
Catherines has opened a pioneering artisan bakery in the long-vacant NatWest bank building.
A Shropshire bakery chain has opened its new store in a former bank in Bridgnorth.
Catherines has opened a branch of its artisan bakery in the long-vacant NatWest bank building.
Moving beyond the traditional retail model, the new new branch offers a fully transparent "theatre of baking."
Customers are invited to watch the entire production process—from the kneading of dough to the pulling of fresh loaves from the oven—directly from the shop floor.
This "experience-led" repurposing of a prominent banking hall reflects a growing national trend: turning the high street into a destination for craft and connection rather than just a place for transactions.
New owners, John Powers and Fiona Padgett, said the takeover over the bank has been done to preserve the character of the former bank while introducing a modern, industrial-chic aesthetic.
Local High Street Champion Sally Themans from Love Bridgnorth said it was an exciting project for the town.
She said: "We are all fascinated by the provenance and processes around our food.
“This novel approach plays perfectly into the idea of the high street as a place of experience. Kudos to the owners and bakers who have pushed this exciting project through—the fit-out is amazing and the community response has been incredible."
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