Local bagel company Dot Bagel has confirmed their products are made by bakers other than Kennedy and Rhind, months after the latter claimed they would continue supplying the former at Jesmond food market.

In October, residents expressed their disappointment on social media, after bakery Kennedy and Rhind closed as a business.

David Kennedy and Murray Rhind first opened the doors of their eponymous business at Holly Avenue in 2020, but closed in January 2023 due to high utility and property costs.

In 2022, Kennedy and Rhind bought out Dot Bagel from administration, which had a premises on Acorn Road.

On October 17^th 2023, Kennedy and Rhind announced its “closure” as a business.

Kennedy and Rhind said at the time its team of bakers was moving over to its sister store, Claremont Teahouse, while its baked goods would remain available at Dot Bagel in Heaton.

One particular fan of Kennedy and Rhind’s pies was Jesmond Resident Niamh White. White told JesmondLocal: “The pies at Kennedy and Rhind were unbeatable. I’m still yet to find anywhere that beats them.”

In October, Kennedy and Rhind assured customers on social media that the company would still be providing baked goods for Dot Bagel’s regular stall at Jesmond Food market.

However, Dot Bagel’s head of marketing, Lainya Craig, has told JesmondLocal: “Although the business did buy us from administration and provided us with sweet treats to begin with, we’ve navigated using our own bakehouse and team to provide our own stock.”

Craig added: “Our Dot Bagels spot at Jesmond Food Market is now fully independent, with no ties to Kennedy and Rhind. Everything that we sell is from a team of new bakers.”

Despite their new independence, Dot Bagel are still determined to provide the baked goods that Kennedy and Rhind provided, at their store in Heaton and their stall at the Jesmond food market every first and last Saturday of the month.

Christianne Janes, an employee at the Dot Bagel stall, said: “Although we aren’t selling products from Kennedy and Rhind, we are still working hard at Dot Bagel to provide the best bakes to customers!”

“It’s also great to see Jesmond food market providing us and other independent businesses around the area with space to thrive,” Janes added.       

Kennedy and Rhind did not respond to a request to comment for this story.

This post was updated at 7pm on 23rd December to correct timelines and locations of Kennedy and Rhind and Dot Bagels’ venues. We regret the error.