Independent sourdough bakery Gorse has opened a café and bakery in the newly-developed business space at Lanteague, near Zelah, thanks to growing demand.

Gorse opened in 2021 on the outskirts of Newquay, where owners Nat Galliano-Hale and Anna Gerrans started producing high-quality sourdough for café and restaurant clients around Cornwall. With a booming wholesale business, consumer demand allowed them to open a weekly counter on site, selling a variety of baked goods from pastel de nata to Marmite, pickled green chilli and Cornish cheddar sourdough. 

A need for a bigger space led the duo to Lanteague, a community of studios for small businesses. Customers can enjoy tasty baked goods and quality coffee with a view of the behind-the-scenes of life of a baker. 

“Since starting Gorse just after lockdown, it’s been our dream to have a bigger location and invite customers to sit in,” said Nat. “Thanks to the support of our local community and customers, we’ve been able to grow as a business to get to this milestone, as well as creating six local jobs. 

Nordic influences are reflected in both the interiors and the products of Gorse. All interior work was designed and built by Timpson Carpentry, with the wood being felled and milled locally, while Owen Davies from Gulland Rock fabricated the impressive two-metre long bread rack and Kim Moore from Cornish Hardwood Supplies crafted the wooden shelves. Milk is sourced from St Ives-based Trink Dairy, and coffee from Foundation Coffee Roasters, also from St Ives.

Sunday opening is planned, along with popular Gorse Supper Clubs towards the end of the summer. The duo also hope to grow their own fruit and vegetables regeneratively in a small plot of no-dig beds. 

Gorse will be open from 7.30am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday, and from 8am to 2pm on Saturday. The menu includes vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free options.