69 Gloucester Avenue
Primrose Hill
London
NW1 8LD
020 7483 42222
www.primrosebakery.org.uk
primrose-bakery@btconnect.com
Who: Martha Swift and Lisa Thomas
“We are both mums who met when our eldest children were at nursery school. We really like to eat cakes, enjoy baking and liked the idea of afternoon tea but didn’t feel that we could find what we wanted to eat. We both used to organise lots of kids’ parties and it was often expensive to find the cakes that we wanted to serve. We think cakes need to look and taste amazing and we couldn’t find ones that fitted both, so we decided to make our own.
Lisa’s family have a bakery and we started baking cakes at her house (in her domestic oven). When the kids got to an age when we could turn it into a business, we started supplying Melrose & Morgan and it grew from there.
The shop came two years into the business, in October 2006. We had really run out of space at Lisa’s and we needed a proper kitchen. We’ve both lived in Primrose Hill for years so we were keen to stay close to the area. When the opportunity came up to have a shop as well as a kitchen, we jumped at the chance. Although we still supply cakes to Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, it is a great place to sell directly to the public and display the cakes. We wanted to have a shop which appealed to everyone and where they could expect great service, whoever they are.”
What: Primrose Bakery is first and foremost a cake shop, although they also sell a great sideline of accessories related to cakes, parties and teatime such as candles, tableware and foreign/old-fashioned sweets. The cakes are displayed in an old-fashioned counter and range from a mini cupcake (£1.15) to a regular cupcake (£1.75) and layer cakes (available in slices or whole) as well as breakfast items such as crumpets and croissants and café style drinks. There are tables to sit at, although you can also take away the cakes packaged in sweet little individual boxes.
The cakes are all handmade and hand iced on the premises, made from fresh ingredients and Martha and Lisa taste each recipe before it is used. Each day you can choose from vanilla, chocolate, lemon, lime & coconut or mocha flavour, but look out for the speciality flavours such as chocolate-orange at Christmas.
Primrose Bakery will also take orders for private catering such as birthdays or weddings. These can be cupcakes or layer cakes or a mixture of the two and they will decorate the cakes to your chosen theme. All cakes can be delivered. Ordering is done through their website or by telephone and ideally should be at least 48 hours in advance. Prices depend on order and location.
Why: A visit to Primrose Bakery is a must if you are in Primrose Hill. The cakes are beautifully displayed and taste so good, I defy you not to return for a second. The shop is a treat and does not fail to cheer you up. It is exactly the right balance of old-fashioned cake shop and American style café. Perfect for take-away cupcakes or an afternoon tea and natter with some girlfriends. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Where: Nearest tube is Chalk Farm. Turn right out of the tube and then cross over the bridge. Carry straight onto Gloucester Avenue, then it's a five minute walk until you come to Primrose Bakery on the right hand side. It's just before you come to The Engineer pub. It’s a primrose yellow front and the name is on the windowpanes.
When: Monday-Saturday 8.30am–6pm. Sunday 10am–5pm.
