The Whisk Bakehouse, located in Castle Place shopping centre, opened its doors to the public on Saturday, April 4.
The new specialist bakery offers a completely gluten-free array of goods ensuring it is safe for coeliacs. Dairy free options are also available, as well as alternatives for diabetic customers.
Caitlyn Newble, the 22-year-old behind the business, said she was “shocked” by the volume of customers and levels of support she received on the day.
The entrepreneur said that on Saturday’s grand opening, she sold out of her first batch in 46 minutes. She then closed the shop briefly while they restocked – before they soon sold out for a second time.
Hundreds of people turned out to take part in the grand opening, with photos from the day showing long queues of customers patiently waiting for a chance to score baked goods from the latest spot. Caitlyn said 300 people turned up and “well over 600 bakes” were sold.
In a note sent to this paper following the event, Caitlyn said: “I’m shocked by how many people showed up – I asked for help and it was received and I cannot thank the people of Trowbridge and those who donated enough for helping make my dream come true.
“The support, the love, the shared excitement has made this whole journey worth every second.”
Caitlyn has previously said she has spent much of her life working around food in restaurants and bars, most recently selling her baked items at pop up stalls.
The inspiration behind her new bakery in Castle Place lies in Caitlyn’s love of baking, as well as her ambition to join the business community her friends have become a part of over the past few years.
Speaking with this paper earlier in the year, Caitlyn said: “I have always baked. I’ve always been making bread, brownies, and I love cooking from scratch. I was really struggling for work after losing my last job, and I thought what have I got to lose?”
The Whisk Bakehouse a new business at Castle Place with Caitlyn Newble. (Image: Trevor Porter)
On Sunday, April 5, Caitlyn announced that the branch would be out of action until the following Wednesday, while they replace a sink that was “lost” on the opening day but added that she “cannot wait to see what happens next.”
The event came after a weeks-long build-up in which a number of other businesses opened up in the microshops.
The opening of The Whisk Bakehouse came almost exactly a month after Gemma Williamson opened Gemma’s Tasty Bakes in the neighbouring Castle Place microshops unit.
During the opening of the cake-maker, Trowbridge’s mayor Stephen Cooper cut the ribbon and posed for photos with business owner Gemma Williamson as scores of people filled the shopping centre to sample sweet treats and soak in the lively atmosphere.
Gemma told this paper that she sold out of her baked goods within hours, and described the day as “absolutely phenomenal.”
The success of the microshops units has been credited to the Starry Eyes Performance Foundation, headed by Sally Boyle and Alison Urch, who began approaching businesses and marketing spots on Castle Place’s street-level floor earlier this year.
In a public statement following the opening of Gemma’s Tasty Bakes in early-March, Trowbridge’s mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper, said: “It really is lovely to see this shopping centre coming back to life, and it’s the existing tenants, with the support and approval of the centre’s owner, Mr Tahir Ali, who are leading the charge to get all the units utilised as venues for start-ups, micro-shops and community enterprises.”