Walkers in Newton Aycliffe nominated for best bakery

Three generations of butchers and bakers at this North East establishment have kept it a mainstay of top quality products for 54 years.

Walkers Family Butchers and Bakers, in Newton Aycliffe, has made the top ten of The Northern Echo’s search for the best bakery in the region.

Read more: Three ex-footballers drop into cafe to the delight of venue owner

Every day over the next ten days, we will be featuring one of our top ten finalists, chosen by our readers.

Don Walker, 81, still oversees the family business alongside son Colin and grandson Scott, and says he’ll “never retire.”

He said: “We serve and supply many local businesses around the town and trading estate, and have two little vans running about.

“We sell a lot of pies, sandwiches, cakes and bread buns – about 300 dozen buns each day.

His bakers start at 5.30am, with the shop opening at 8am daily.

“We used to be supplied by Taylor’s of Darlington, but when Covid hit we had to rely on ourselves, so our baking just grew from there.

“I’m still running the business day to day, and we have 12 of us altogether working here. It is like a family and I just love it. I'm so pleased by son and grandson are working here alongside me to carry it on.

“I love the people, and you never know what is going to happen from one day to the next. I have put a lot of work into the business, and I’m very proud of it.”

Mr Walker, also a Rotarian of 44 years, said the business had seen through good times and bad times, but the shop was still where he’d rather spend his days.

“I never want to retire What would I do all day? There’s always something happening here.”

Mr Walker said at Christmas, the bakers can turn out around 1,000 dozen bread buns, as well as all the meat and pies people could want.

To vote for your favourite bakery, cut out the voting slip in The Northern Echo and return it by post to Suite 10, Second Floor, Coniscliffe House, Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7EE.