Bakehouse heading for Boston Spa high street

The brainchild of chef Elizabeth Cottam, CORA will offer bakery and patisserie-based breakfasts, lunch and afternoon tea tasting experiences, alongside speciality cakes, pastries and wines.

Bakehouse aims to offer something a little special to the mix of independents currently found in the village and follows news of the Crown Hotel reopening after years.

Elizabeth Cottam, said: “We’re offering elegant, yet fun and playful pastry and bread creations that are very different from what you typically find in your traditional tearoom or old fashioned french patisserie.

“I love making a real event out of eating so I decided to create a place where the ceremony of afternoon tea could be embraced and rolled out to other dining times of the day too.

“To turn up the sense of occasion even more, every dish is paired with an optional carefully selected wine or cocktail.”

Elizabeth has family ties to the village as husband Richard hails from Boston Spa and his mother has been a resident for 40 years.

But finding the right place has been a bit of a waiting game.

“I have been waiting for the right property to come up on the market and jumped at the chance when this one did.

“I was a little bit sad about seeing so many units up, so wanted to jump at the chance.

“I love Boston Spa - the architecture, the river location, perfect collection of independent businesses all great in their own right.

“I am excited for the new bits like The Crown Hotel opening again.”

Liz added: “One of the most exciting things about this project is that I’ve tracked down and pulled together a full female senior team.

“My general manager, head pastry chef and head baker, alongside me, make up an incredibly creative and formidable partnership.

“The development process has been so inspiring and enjoyable, I’m very much looking forward to showcasing what these amazing women can do.”

The first few weeks after opening will be for collection only. Customers are advised to pre-order to avoid disappointment.

Liz added: “It’s a great time for us to open and we’re hoping the summer months will be filled with people enjoying the dishes we’re creating for CORA’s opening.

“Our aim is that by June we will be able to offer customers the full, dine-in experience, but until then we are happy to serve people via the retail counter and help a lucky few picnic in style.”