Acorn Road’s Pink Lane Bakery has been crowned “North East Bakery of the Year” at a ceremony hosted by The National Bakery Awards.

Organised by print and digital magazine publisher Bakery Business, the country’s finest bakers were announced for each region of the UK, with Acorn Road’s busy cafe taking the top spot for our region.

Pink Lane office manager Claire Cooke said the reconigition meant a lot to the bakery’s staff. “We have always focused on maintaining good ingredients, skilled baking and genuine hospitality,” she told JesmondLocal, “so to have that acknowledged feels like a celebration of the hard work and passion that goes into every day.”

Founded in the late 2000s, Pink Lane is known for its sourdough bread made using traditional methods and long fermentation, and named after the Newcastle’s historic Pink Lane where it first set up shop. The Acorn Road shop has become a staple of the Jesmond neighbourhood since opening its doors in 2022, and to Cooke, the support from those who live nearby has been essential to its success. “The warmth and loyalty we’ve felt there has been incredible. People bring their routines, families and stories through our doors. That sense of community has absolutely played a part in our success; it keeps us grounded, inspired and focused on what really matters.”

Cooke said that Jesmond in particular, “is a fantastic area that has a strong mix of residents, all of whom appreciate good-quality, thoughtfully made food. It’s the kind of neighbourhood where businesses like ours can become part of the daily rhythm of the community.”

MP for Newcastle North Catherine McKinnell paid a visit to the bakery to congratulate staff on their award. “I’ve been a customer of the Pink Lane Bakery for many years and it’s gone from strength to strength,” she told JesmondLocal. “It’s great news that it is now officially the best in the North East. From the delicious baked goods to its welcoming atmosphere, it’s no surprise they’ve received this prestigious award.”

With a new shop in Morpeth added this year to its Jesmond, Gosforth and Newcastle city centre locations, plus a new stand in Fenwick’s food hall, it is a busy time at Pink Lane, and with baking courses at the Gosforth branch starting in the new year, Cooke said she “can’t wait to see what 2026 brings”.