Despite transforming itself into a successful online provisions store throughout lockdown, the long-term future of Gloucester Road favourite Bakers & Co. was looking a little uncertain until now
The good news is that it has just reopened as a sourdough bakery and coffee shop, with head baker Brett St Clair using a live sourdough starter in all breads, cakes and pastries.
Brett has been working for Bakers & Co for two years and he arrived in Bristol after stints at The Bertinet Bakery in Bath, Babington House in Somerset and spells at high-profile Michelin-star restaurants such as Le Gavroche and The Fat Duck.
Bread has long been Brett’s passion but it was the simple fact he couldn’t source fresh yeast during lockdown that inspired the decision to turn Bakers & Co into an entirely sourdough-driven bakery, with all loaves, croissants and even brownies using the starter instead of traditional flour.
Brett says: “We started using sourdough in the brownies to evolve the things we made before, so if we were going to continue making them then we were going to make them better than before. The sourdough starter results in a moister brownie and the sourness balances out the sweetness.”
Co-founder Kieran Waite said: “We managed to keep Bakers & Co. open throughout lockdown as a bakery and provisions store and it has seen many transitions over the last few months, helping keep some of our other brands alive like Bravas and Gambas before we could re-open them.
“At times we didn’t know if we’d be able to keep going but the local support has been a real lifeline.”
The new-look Bakers & Co. is open seven days a week, 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.
scoffedblog.com 
Brett’s bread is the bakery equivalent to Crack. Tried many different bakeries over lockdown and his wins hands down.
What an addiction to have though!