A new 50-seat bakery has opened in Witney’s Market Square, bringing Cornish pasties, handmade pastries and speciality coffee to a restored Grade II-listed building.
At a glance
| Business | Cornish Bakery |
| Opened | Friday 21 August 2026 |
| Address | 11 Market Square, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6AB |
| Opening hours | 8am to 6pm every day |
| Seating | Up to 50 customers |
| New jobs | More than 16 year-round positions, according to the company |
| What it serves | Pasties, sausage rolls, pastries, cakes, breakfast and lunch dishes, and Origin coffee |
| Eat in or take away | Both options are available |
| Contact | witney@thecornishbakery.com |
| More information | Visit the Cornish Bakery locations page |
Cornish Bakery has opened its newest branch in Witney after transforming a former shoe shop in the heart of the town.
The founder-led bakery business has taken over the former Shoe Zone unit at 11 Market Square, creating an eat-in and takeaway bakery with room for up to 50 customers.
The new branch opened on Friday 21 August and will trade from 8am to 6pm seven days a week.
Cornish Bakery says the opening has created more than 16 permanent local jobs, with the new team serving customers throughout the day.
Historic Market Square building given a new use
The bakery occupies a Grade II-listed building on the eastern side of Market Square.
Historic England dates the property to the early 18th century, with later alterations made during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The listing describes a former house and shop constructed from limestone rubble, with a stucco frontage, stone-slate roof and two attic dormer windows.
Cornish Bakery says the refurbishment has attempted to reveal more of the building’s original character while adapting it for modern hospitality use.
Inside, exposed brickwork and textured glass have been combined with timber details, leather banquettes, warm grey flooring and feature lighting.
Carrara marble counters provide the main display area for the bakery’s pasties, sausage rolls, croissants, cakes and other freshly baked products.
The result is a substantial change from the property’s former retail layout, creating places for customers to sit over coffee as well as serving shoppers who want to take food away.
What is on the menu?
Cornish Bakery is best known for its handmade Cornish pasties, farmhouse sausage rolls and pastries.
The wider menu includes breakfast and lunch options, sweet and savoury croissants, scones, toasties, cakes and pastel de nata.
Pasties and other core products are baked in store, while the pastries are prepared, proved and baked early in the day.
Seasonal items announced for the Witney opening include a Lemon Meringue Croissant filled with cream cheese and yuzu cream.
Other launch-season products include a Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter Pastry, inspired by a dish developed by the company’s head of proposition and product, Arnaud Kaziewicz, during his appearance on MasterChef: The Professionals.
An Orange and White Chocolate Chai Bun also forms part of the seasonal selection.
These products may change as the bakery moves through its seasonal menus, so customers looking for a particular pastry should check availability before making a special journey.
What visitors can expect
| Pasties | Traditional and contemporary fillings, including meat, vegetarian and vegan choices |
| Savoury food | Sausage rolls, toasties, focaccia, tortillas and breakfast options |
| Pastries | Croissants, pain au chocolat, buns, Danish pastries and changing seasonal creations |
| Cakes and bakes | Scones, brownies, muffins, Cornish Pudding and pastel de nata |
| Coffee | Espresso-based drinks made with Origin Coffee, alongside decaf and alternative milk options |
| Service | Eat-in seating for up to 50 people, plus takeaway |
Coffee roasted in Cornwall
The Witney branch serves coffee supplied by Origin Coffee, a speciality roaster based in Cornwall.
Cornish Bakery uses Origin’s Stronghold blend as its house espresso, which the company describes as full-bodied and low in acidity, with dark chocolate, fudge and brown sugar notes.
Origin is a certified B Corporation and says it works directly with coffee producers where possible, while using selected exporters in countries where direct relationships are not practical.
The menu includes espresso, flat white, cappuccino, latte and iced coffee, along with decaffeinated options.
Customers with allergies or intolerances should speak to staff before ordering and can also check the company’s online allergen information.
New jobs and plans to support a Witney charity
The opening has created more than 16 year-round jobs, according to Cornish Bakery.
The company also intends to establish a partnership with a local charity after the new branch has settled into regular trading.
No charity had been selected when the bakery opened, and details of the arrangement, including the form of support it will provide, have not yet been announced.
The partnership reflects the company’s stated aim of making each branch part of its surrounding community rather than operating solely as a food and drink outlet.
Further details should be published once the Witney team has chosen the organisation it will support.
Why the opening matters for Witney
The new bakery brings a vacant retail unit back into use while preserving a prominent listed building in Market Square.
Its arrival also adds another breakfast, lunch and coffee option to the town centre, with hours covering the main shopping day throughout the week.
Although Cornish Bakery now operates a growing national network, the company remains founder-led and began in the Cornish harbour town of Mevagissey.
Its move into Witney forms part of a wider expansion into market towns and heritage properties, with individual interiors designed around the character of each building.
For the town, the practical impact is a new hospitality business, more than 16 jobs and renewed use of a historic Market Square property that had most recently operated as a shoe shop.
How to find Cornish Bakery in Witney
| Address | 11 Market Square, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6AB |
| Monday to Sunday | 8am to 6pm |
| Eat in | Seating for up to 50 customers |
| Takeaway | Available throughout opening hours |
| By bus | Market Square has nearby stops served by routes including the S1, S7 and H2. Check live times before travelling. |
| witney@thecornishbakery.com | |
| Food and allergen information | View the food range and allergen guide |
Opening hours and menu availability can change. Roadworks associated with the Witney Access Scheme are also affecting some local bus routes and stops until the end of October, so check live travel information before setting out.
FAQs
When did Cornish Bakery open in Witney?
The new branch opened on Friday 21 August 2026.
Where is the Witney bakery?
It is at 11 Market Square, Witney, OX28 6AB, in the unit previously occupied by Shoe Zone.
What are the opening hours?
Cornish Bakery says the Witney branch is open from 8am to 6pm every day of the week.
Can customers eat inside?
Yes. The bakery has seating for up to 50 customers, with takeaway also available.
What food does it sell?
The menu includes Cornish pasties, sausage rolls, croissants, cakes, breakfast dishes, lunch options and seasonal pastries.
What coffee does Cornish Bakery serve?
It serves coffee roasted in Cornwall by Origin Coffee, including espresso, flat white, cappuccino, latte and decaffeinated drinks.
Is the building listed?
Yes. Number 11 Market Square is Grade II listed. Historic England dates it to the early 18th century, with later 19th and 20th-century alterations.
How many jobs has the bakery created?
Cornish Bakery says the opening has created more than 16 year-round local jobs.
Does the bakery support a local charity?
The Witney team intends to form a partnership with a local charity, but the chosen organisation and details of the support have not yet been announced.
Where can customers check allergen information?
Customers can speak to staff and use the Cornish Bakery allergen guide.
