A Cooperative Bakery
Owned by our members, serving the Community
Nourishing community through honest bread
The mission of The Handmade Bakery is simple but profound: to produce honest, slow-fermented bread using sustainable practices, and to serve as a community hub that supports local livelihoods. The bakery operates on cooperative principles, ensuring it’s owned and shaped by the people it serves. It’s not just about baking bread—it’s about nourishing connections, empowering local producers, and promoting a more sustainable and thoughtful way of living.
The founders of the Handmade Bakery: Joanna and Dan McTiernan
Many of the original bread sorts are still bestsellers.
From small beginnings to big loaves
The Handmade Bakery was born out of a deep passion for creating high-quality, healthy bread and a desire to connect with the local community. Inspired by a bread-making course, founders Dan and Johanna McTiernan set out to create something bigger than just a business—they wanted to craft bread that celebrated traditional techniques, while also fostering a sense of togetherness.
Starting with a modest Ikea oven at home, Dan and Johanna expanded in October 2008, baking 12 loaves weekly in a local restaurant’s stone-bottomed pizza oven. In 2009, with demand growing, the couple realised they needed a more permanent space to meet the needs of their members and further their dream of fostering community connections through food.
Baking in the heart of Slaithwaite
The Green Valley Grocer’s premises in Slaithwaite provided an ideal location—a central hub where locals already gathered for fresh, high-quality produce. Moving into the greengrocer allowed Dan and Joanna to bake on-site, scaling up from their initial 12 loaves per week to hundreds. With time, more staff joined, and the bakery evolved into a workers’ coop. Customers could now see the magic happening in real time—flour being kneaded into dough, loaves carefully shaped by hand, and the comforting aroma of bread wafting through the store. This move also enabled the couple to experiment with new recipes and expand their offerings, including pastries and specialty breads.
Bread Bonds: Community-Funded Baking
Due to increasing demand, The Handmade Bakery outgrew the space at the Green Vally Grocery, and in 2011 moved to a larger canal-side space. To fund this expansion, the concept of “Bread Bonds” in the UK was created, inviting local supporters to invest in exchange for interest paid in bread. This innovative approach not only provided the necessary capital but also deepened the bakery’s connection with its community, making lenders the country’s first Bread Bond holders and ensuring sustainable growth.
A flourishing canalside destination
Moving to the canal-side premises on the site of a former weaver’s shed not only accommodated increased production but also enabled the addition of a café. This has become a vibrant meeting place where visitors enjoy seasonal dishes, soups and
sandwiches made with the bakery’s signature bread, accompanied by locally sourced coffee, handmade patisserie and homemade cakes.
The location’s scenic setting along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is just a short walk from the centre of Slaithwaite, making it an ideal spot for locals and visitors alike.
The next chapter…
The Handmade Bakery has stayed true to its roots, crafting high-quality, additive-free bread with traditional methods while supporting the local economy and community. Now producing thousands of loaves and pastries weekly, it serves Slaithwaite and beyond. With its 2025 refurbishment complete, the bakery is now better equipped than ever to continue its mission of collaboration and shared purpose.
From its modest beginnings in a home kitchen to its current role as a cornerstone of Slaithwaite’s community, The Handmade Bakery’s story is one of passion, innovation, and the enduring power of bringing people together over good food.
Timeline
Today: A Flourishing Community
Now a cornerstone of Slaithwaite, The Handmade Bakery produces approximately 2,000 loaves of real bread and patisserie each week. Operating as a not-for-profit workers’ co-operative, it remains committed to its roots of craftsmanship and community connection.
2019: A Decade of Impact
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, The Handmade Bakery reflected on its journey from a home kitchen to a thriving community enterprise. The bakery’s success inspired other groups across the UK to bring real bread back to their communities.
2011: Expansion to Upper Mills
To meet growing demand, the bakery relocated to larger premises at Upper Mills. This move allowed for increased production and the opening of a vibrant café space, enhancing its role as a community hub where visitors could enjoy freshly baked goods while observing the baking process.
2010: A Permanent Space
The bakery secured its own premises, transitioning from shared spaces to an independent location. This move solidified its presence in the community and allowed for further growth and the ability to offer baking courses to the public.
2009: The UK’s First Community Supported Bakery
The Handmade Bakery was established as the UK’s first Community Supported Bakery, operating on a subscription model where community members paid in advance for freshly baked bread. This innovative approach minimized financial risks and fostered a strong bond between the bakery and its supporters.
2007: Inspiration and Beginnings
Inspired by a desire for quality bread in their community, Dan and Johanna McTiernan began baking at home. Recognizing a local demand for artisan bread, they laid the foundation for what would become The Handmade Bakery.