A COMMUNITY bakery in Rhyl was the winner of two prizes at the town’s business awards last week.

Use Your Loaf, based on Abbey Street, took home the “charity/social enterprise” and “equality, diversity and inclusion” accolades at the Rhyl BID Business Awards 2024 on March 5.

The event, held at 1891 Bar and Restaurant, also saw Use Your Loaf named as runner-up in the “outstanding contribution to the community” category.

Rhyl Journal: Use Your Loaf was also named as runner-up in the “outstanding contribution to the community” category.Use Your Loaf was also named as runner-up in the “outstanding contribution to the community” category. (Image: Rhyl BID)

Alex Bowen, project manager, opened the bakery almost exactly two years ago, and was said honoured to pick up a couple of awards.

Use Your Loaf offers a range of courses, taster sessions and themed days, teaching people how to bake their own handmade artisan breads.

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“I feel very humbled,” Alex said.

“I didn’t expect that sort of response, especially seeing the amount of votes that were cast and all of the great other (nominated) charities and groups.

“It’s really, really nice to see people recognise what we’re trying to do. We came last year, as well, and won, but I didn’t expect to win again this year.”

Use Your Loaf is open from Monday to Friday, offering different types of classes on each day, as well as a “community day” each Friday.

The bakery also gives people the chance to earn qualifications in food safety, allergen awareness and more.

Rhyl Journal: The front of Use Your Loaf on Abbey Street, Rhyl. Inset: Chelsea buns and roasted vegetable pizza made for their opening day celebrations. The front of Use Your Loaf on Abbey Street, Rhyl. Inset: Chelsea buns and roasted vegetable pizza made for their opening day celebrations. (Image: Alex Bowen)

It runs flexible 12-day courses, enabling people to come in whenever suits them, and is open to anyone older than 16.

Prior to opening in March 2022, it had been in the works for several years, having initially been the idea of the project leader of the Foryd Community Centre, Fiona Davies.

Alex and his colleague, Steve Baxendale, are the bakery’s only full-time employees, with volunteers providing constant and much-needed assistance.

He added: “The demand has been constantly increasing week on week. When you first open, you expect a spike, but it just didn’t dip.

“We had to do Saturday sessions just to get more people included, so it’s been such a great response.

“It’s so much fun. We made ‘rainbow bread’ for the first time today as a new experiment, so we’re always trying new things.

“We couldn’t do without the volunteers - we get people in every day just to smooth things along. We get so much engagement on Facebook, as well; I wish I could get everybody included!”

Use Your Loaf won two of 15 awards handed out at last week’s event, celebrating those striving to promote the best Rhyl has to offer.

Alex added: “Our lottery funding runs out at the end of this year, so we’re then looking at the next stage of what we can offer to expand and grow, and evolve it even further.

“So many families want to join in, so if we can get more sessions on during the holidays, we will.”