FAMILY-RUN Cooplands Bakery has opened its first ever Tyneside-based store.

The baker, which has 137 stores nationwide, today opened the doors of its new Blaydon shop, creating eight jobs. 

The fourth generation family run business was established in 1885 as a pork butcher and baker in Scarborough by managing director Paul Coopland’s great grandfather. Now employing more than 1,400 staff the company operates from three bakeries, supplies over 100 shops, 10 cafés and operates a small wholesale business within Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire and Teesside.

Located on the Precinct, the Blaydon store marks the company’s commitment to expand further north of the region, following its acquisition of Peters Cathedral Bakers factory and 22 stores across County Durham in July 2012. The deal helped position Cooplands as the UK’s third largest bakery in the UK.

Cooplands Bakery managing director Paul Coopland said: “The arrival of our Blaydon bakery is the icing on the cake for our regional expansion plans.

“The North-East is a thriving community with extensive opportunities for growth. Although we have developed and grown considerably in recent years, we still maintain our family spirit, atmosphere and enthusiasm that has built our reputation as a company that is committed to selling high quality, traditionally made products.”

The new Cooplands Bakery in Blaydon will bake fresh pies and pasties daily in-store, as well as hot food, made-to-order sandwiches and bespoke celebration cakes which can be ordered for special events.

Cooplands Bakery area manager Kerry Taylor said: “We are very excited to bring our fresh, high quality cakes, pasties and sandwiches to the taste buds of Tyneside. As a leading craft bakery, with over 40 different confectionery products including muffins, novelty biscuits and yum yums there is certainly something for everyone.”