The owners of a popular bakery have spoken about their ambitious plans to transform a rundown former garage in Slad Road, Stroud.

Salt Bakehouse, which sells artisan bread at Stroud farmers’ market and from a unit in Union Street, submitted plans for a cafe and bakery last month.

The plans would see a former car body repair shop near the Co-Op in Slad Road completely refurbished with a bridge crossing Slad Brook leading to a coffee hut alongside a courtyard with seating.

Anneliese Varley from Salt Bakehouse, said: “We hope that the expansion of the bakery will again bring new jobs to Stroud and help to regenerate a forgotten location. 

“The building has been left for some time and is dilapidated  - but it is part of Stroud's forgotten history. 

"It has an incredible history, from carrier pigeons to a soup kitchen and has been in the same family for many years.

“We are not replacing a shop in the centre of Stroud and we are hoping to bring more than another 'cafe'.”

Customers will be able to see the bakery and production as they enter the building, which will produce artisan pastries and bread.

The upstairs will include a kitchen where courses will be run on artisan baking and pastry production.

Anneliese says they plan to use a wood pellet oven to help reduce electricity use and hopefully heat the former mill. 

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There are currently numerous smashed windows, graffiti, overgrown weeds and peeling paint at the property. 

Salt Bakehouse was founded in memory of Rod Salter and is run by his wife Annette and her children Dominic and Anneliese. 

The family business also owns the Sandwich Box in Cheltenham and previously won Baker of the Year 2016 at the Bakery Industry Awards.

Salt also has its own travelling white van stuffed with goodies that regularly pops up at locations across the district including Rodborough, Whitshill, Stonehouse, Painswick, Box and Chetlenham.

Anyone wishing to view or comment on this application should do so by email to planning@stroud.gov.uk, or by visiting www.stroud.gov.uk/planning by July 14 quoting reference S.22/1255/FUL.