Harry’s Hand Crafted Doughnuts opens new store in Darlington

Harry’s Hand Crafted Donuts is opening its first store in High Row, Darlington, this week.

To celebrate the launch, the store will be giving away one free doughnut per customer on Saturday, January 15, until the day’s stock runs out.

Business owners Jack Beadle and Richard Bridge came up with the idea during lockdown last year, when they were forced to temporarily close their Hatchet Harry’s axe-throwing venues due to Covid restrictions.

Jack began by perfecting a doughnut recipe in his own kitchen and selling them with the help of social media via online deliveries.

And the recipes proved such a success that the pair have now set up a commercial kitchen in the North East to supply the Darlington store initially, and then two further doughnut stores – in Newcastle and Middlesbrough – which are expected to open in the first quarter of 2022. 

Depending on the success of the venture, Jack and Richard plan to open other Harry’s Handcrafted Donut stores across the UK, some of which will share locations with the expanding Hatchet Harry’s empire.   

Jack said: “When Covid restrictions forced me to shut Hatchet Harry’s I was pretty bored and was looking for something to do. I was aware of the growing popularity of doughnuts, so decided to set up my own homemade doughnut delivery business. 

“I quickly discovered there was a real appetite for doughnuts – so we’ve gone from making them in my kitchen to proper commercial production within just a few months.” 

Harry’s Hand Crafted Donuts will also serve coffee made with beans sourced from leading brand 200 Degrees Coffee, and doughnuts will also be available for online ordering and delivery via Uber Eats.

Jack said that sharing venues with some of the existing Hatchet Harry’s venues would ensure the units were utilised throughout the day, as axe-throwing activities tended to be concentrated in the late afternoon and evenings.

“The businesses should complement each other very well,” he said. “After all, who doesn’t want to drink coffee, eat doughnuts and throw axes at the same time?” 

So, what is the secret behind creating the perfect doughnut? “It’s all about temperature, timing – and of course making flavours and toppings that we know people will enjoy,” said Jack.   

Hatchet Harry’s, which launched in May 2019, currently operates at centres in Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Nottingham, with plans for more venues in the coming year.

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