Chorlton crowdfunder raises over £18k in just four days

A crowdfunder launched by chef Mary-Ellen McTague and her business partners has raised £18,335 – 92% of the £20k target – in less than four days.

Chef Mary-Ellen, baker Sophie Yeoman and Soo Wilkinson, a designer, are trying to raise funds to equip a dilapidated former Edwardian creamery next to Polar Bar on Wilbraham Road which they are turning into a bakery and cafe.

“Back in 2015, we heard rumour that The Creameries in Chorlton was available to rent. It’s a building we’ve known and admired for years. It just so happened that we’d been on the look out for a place to set up our bakery and this was just too good an opportunity to miss.

“And so our plans to resurrect the building began. A bread oven, an open kitchen and loads of space for people to meet up, chat, eat, work and relax have been our priorities from day one, and we have set about making that happen.

“Our baker’s oven is at the heart of everything we do. Home made bread and cheese are our staples, along with delicious food, beer and natural wines that go with it. We want to bring this beautiful building back to life filling it with warm food and good friends.

“We’re going to be making our food from scratch in our open bakery kitchen, be it bread, yoghurt or cured meats. We care about where our food comes from, so we’ll be championing British cooking and local, sustainable ingredients.

“Between us we want to create a welcoming and beautiful place that serves tasty, fresh food. Our experience in kitchens, farming, baking, cheese-making and design will all be put to good use at The Creameries. We plan to create something really special.”

424 backers have supported the crowdfunder campaign to date. Now they need just another £1,665 to reach the £20k target.

The rewards include £5 for a sourdough starter kit, £25 for a beer tasting masterclass, and £100 for a bread baking course. To find out more and to get involved, click here.

And if they’ve hit the target by the time you take a look, don’t let that put you off. There’s bound to be plenty of other stuff they need.