A SOCIAL enterprise bakery has opened a new site to maintain its growth.

Olivia’s Artisan Bakery and Café is now operating at the Trinity Centre, in Gosforth, Newcastle.

The site is close to where renowned North-East baker Greggs opened its first high street outlet in 1951, and Olivia’s bosses say they expect to take on more regional sites soon.

Working alongside the Clervaux Trust, an educational charity running the Clow Beck Eco Farm at Croft, near Darlington, Olivia’s offers young adults work experience to boost their confidence and independence.

It has a central bakery in Darlington, with sites in nearby Hurworth, as well as Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, and is also supported by Newcastle-based catering equipment supplier Crosbys, which has backed its Gosforth move.

Rick McCordall, Olivia’s managing director, said: “We now have a prominent location in the heart of Gosforth and are very much looking forward to getting involved with the local community.

“We’re planning to open a unit in York, and may look to open a second Newcastle café.”

Mr McCordall also revealed it had appointed Adrian Watson as director of food and operations to introduce Olivia’s to more local suppliers.

He added: “Adrian brings a wealth of expertise, creativity and contacts, and we would also like to thank Crosbys for their support in bringing our first Tyneside café to life.”

Crosbys supplies crockery, cutlery and paper to more than 2,000 customers in the North, including bars, restaurants and hospitals.

Ben Crosby, director, added: “We’re delighted to see Olivia’s continue to grow and thrive.

“The existing bakeries are famous in their local communities, and we’re sure the Gosforth café will be just as successful.”