A much-loved York bakery praised for its sourdough has announced it is opening a new shop.
Dough, in Bootham, will open a new store in Falsgrave Crescent, Clifton, on Wednesday, August 5.
Owner Dave Sturgess said Dough has already moved its baking to the Falsgrave Crescent premises after outgrowing the Bootham site, where queues can often be seen outside.
He said the new shop will open to the public to bring in extra revenue to support the business, nine years after he took over the Bootham bakery.
Most of the staff are from the Bootham site, Dave said, but the opening will also create two new jobs.
Work is well underway at the site, a former pizza takeaway, and has seen the shopfront and interior refurbished.
The opening comes at a time when the hospitality industry faces increased pressure due to rising costs, but Dave said the new store is the natural next step for Dough.
“I want to be positive,” he said. “There’s no right time to do this – as soon as we had a chance to do this, we did. And we need it to work.
“If you don’t grow and standstill, you’ll almost go backwards.
“[The new shop] was almost a natural projection because we needed more space.
“As this opportunity came up, we saw we could build the business up.”
Dave said there has been a “really positive” reaction to the new site. “The people around this area [Falsgrave Crescent] have seen us going in and out; they have asked questions – and when we say, it’s Dough, they are really excited.”
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The new opening comes after Dough was twice nominated by Press readers for this newspaper’s Best Bakery competition.
Speaking after being nominated last year, Dave admitted he had gained most of his baking experience “from making mistakes and burning bread”.
“Bread wasn't particularly a hobby,” he said. “I always loved eating it but once I started making bread, I really enjoyed seeing the end product.
“Sourdough can be frustrating, but when you get it right, it’s also immensely satisfying. I guess people like our bread, because if they didn't, they wouldn't come back!”
Sourdough has become Dough’s speciality, but the bakery is known for its variety of bread – ciabattas, focaccias, spelt loaves, baguettes – and its sweet treats and pastries.
Dave said Dough has built up a “loyal and very friendly customer base”, adding that the staff “are able to have a good chat and catch up (if we're not too busy) and I feel like we are a part of the community”.
“Running a small business can be challenging and I am lucky to have the team that I have behind me,” he said.
