Barrow bakery going back generations has award chance

Last month The Mail launched the 'Best Bakery 2024' awards, starting the hunt for the best place in Furness for hot food and sweet treats.

A list of 10 finalists was announced following a busy nomination period, which saw readers of The Mail back their most beloved local businesses.

The opportunity to cast your vote for one of the finalists is dwindling fast with them being accepted until Saturday, September 14.

The Mail's 'Best Bakery 2024' award series pt. 1:

• Barrow bakery has chance of being named best in Furness | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow bakery loved by the Hairy Bikers up for award | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow 100-year-old bakery still cooking up success | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow business looks to add new award to its collection | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

To put the 10 bakeries further in the spotlight, The Mail has been running a series of special features uncovering the people and stories behind the businesses.

In Barrow, one family's food legacy is being kept alive at the Martin and Smith Family Bakery on Brighton Street.

The business opened its doors for the first time in September 1997 by sisters Helen Smith and Janet Martin, who are carrying on the work of their parents and grandparents.

One of the bakery's pies, which has been perfected over the generations (Image: Google)

Janet said: "Our parents had previously owned Newby’s in Ainslie Street for many years and my sister worked there, as did I on occasion to help out.

"My parents originally worked at Green’s in Jarrow Street and it was my mother’s father, Elijah Green, who was the original owner of this popular bakery.

"My Aunt and Uncle took over the shop when Elijah died and my parents then moved to Ainslie Street so baking has always been in our family."

The Mail's 'Best Bakery 2024' award series pt. 2:

• Barrow bakery gets award nomination for 'best pies in town' | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Dalton bakery competes against Barrow businesses for award | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow family bakery has recipe for success with award shout | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow deli hunts for more success with new bakery award | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

Even today, the bakery tends to follow original recipes crafted by Elijah, though there is still space for new creations, including a range of vegetarian products.

"Helen retired in 2017 and I now run the shop with my daughter Hayley, and have a staff of seven part-time employees," Janet explained. 

"We have many regular customers, some of whom were my parents' customers - I think people like the personal touch of a home bakery and it's nice to deliver products which are home-baked on the premises."

Do you think Martin and Smith Family Bakery is the best in Furness?

Pick up a copy of The Mail by September 14 to cast your vote.