Pimbletts bakery to open permanently after response to pop-up shop

With a long-held desire of bringing the iconic brand back to the high street, owner Ryan Little launched the Boundary Road bakery as a short-term trial in November, to gauge the reaction of customers before making a permanent decision.

As customers have come in their droves to taste the iconic bakery's pies and pastries, businessman Ryan has decided to reopen Pimbletts as a permanent location, following an extensive refurbishment of the premises.

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Ryan and Jo Morris inside the Boundary Road bakery ahead of its trial (Image: St Helens Star)
Ryan, who took over the Pimbletts brand in 2021, said: "Our pop up shop closed its doors on the 23rd December, and due to the popularity and success to date we have made the decision to open our store permanently. 

"Over the Christmas and new year period we have refurbished the shop completely. The layout has changed to provide larger refrigerated displays as well as hot food displays and preparation areas. 

"Although the initial pop up store was practical and functional, the look and feel of the store wasn't in line with our brand’s vision and aesthetics. 

"The new store has been designed to provide a more homely and fresh feel when visiting and it will also see our range of products and services increase at Boundary Road."

The bakery is currently undergoing a refurbishment (Image: St Helens Star)
The iconic Pimbletts brand was taken over by Ryan in 2021 after the closure of the 87-year-old bakery in 2008, and the subsequent rebranding as Pimmies Pies under former director Arthur Bevan in 2008.

The bakery has continued to operate from a warehouse on Jackson Street, just outside the town centre, in recent years, although Ryan has previously expressed his desire to bring the iconic brand back to the high street.

The bakery will reopen as a permanent venue later this month (Image: St Helens Star)
After launching the pop up shop in one of his former businesses, the CBD & Co unit on Boundary Road, Ryan said that an additional full-time staff member has been employed in the Jackson Street warehouse to ensure that the business can keep up with the demand of the new shop.

Following a refurbishment totalling more than £10,000, the Boundary Road shop will re-open as a permanent venue later this month.