Antrobus Loaf community café and shop officially opens

The Antrobus Loaf, on Knutsford Road, welcomed around 200 guests to its official opening ceremony on Wednesday, September 9, marking the culmination of years of fundraising, planning, and community effort.

The project has its roots in the village's former community shop, and later, a temporary caravan, which served residents from the summer of 2018 while plans for a permanent home were developed.

A major milestone came when the project hit on the idea of applying for a Community Right to Build Order, believed to be the first ever submitted in Cheshire.

A planning application was approved in July 2025, and construction began on December 1.

The opening of the beautiful new building was described by volunteer and trustee, Heather Sutton, as 'a new chapter' for the village (Image: Newsquest)

Although the project took seven years to bring to fruition, the building itself was completed in just seven months.

A soft opening was held on Thursday, July 30, this year, ahead of the formal launch.

All the cakes and bakes on sale are homemade by the volunteers, and every one got a five-star food hygiene rating of their home kitchens when visited by inspectors from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

More than 200 people who had played a role in the project were invited to the opening ceremony.

Trustee, Heather Sutton said: "Either that, or they've been coming for eight years, so are deemed a regular.

"Lots of people supported us either through their business, individual skills, or the ability to offer an experience which has gone on to raise the dough to make the Loaf.

Antrobus Loaf volunteers (L-R): Anne Gregory, Liz Sutton, and Hannah Sherry (Image: Newsquest)

"There was a relatively small group of people who were really at the centre of making the building, but firm friendships have been either cemented or created during the process.

“I think is an amazing achievement, and I am very proud to be part of that group."

Special thanks were paid to Martyn Bracegirdle MBE, who led the building process.

The project benefitted from a wide range of gifts in kind, including the donation of windows and doors, air conditioning, IT and security systems, interior design services, removal of the caravan, and extensive landscaping and planting work.

Heather said the opening marked the start of a new chapter for the village.

She added: "This vital facility is going to make a real difference to those who use it, as well as the wider Antrobus community.

"We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us, whether in a big or small way, to make this new chapter of our community tearoom and shop a reality.

Around 200 people, all of who made some contribution to the project, were invited to the opening event on Wednesday, September 9 (Image: Newsquest)

"This has included significant contributions from local businesses such as Clear Living and others, and FCC Communities Foundation, who provided the funding to fit it out.

“We would not have been able to get to this stage without the support of so many and we're very grateful."

Clear Living, which specialises in the design, supply and installation of architectural glass for residential and commercial clients, and is owned by the Hansen family, who live in Antrobus.

The fit-out of the new facility was supported by an £81,200 grant from FCC Communities Foundation through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Penny Horne, grant manager at FCC Communities Foundation, said: "Seeing this project officially open is incredibly rewarding.

"What began as an idea and a funding application has become a valuable community asset which will benefit local people for many years to come.”

The Antrobus Loaf is open daily from 9am to 12.30pm, with last orders at 12.15pm, and is open to residents, visitors, walkers, cyclists, and families.