Delight as Two Magpies bakery opens in Framlingham

Two Magpies has launched its largest outlet to date on the site of a former Barclays Bank in Framlingham's Market Hill.

The 3,000sq ft building at the top of the hill was given a £350k facelift which was part-funded by the landlord while Two Magpies bore about two thirds of the cost.

A new kitchen has been installed, walls stripped and flooring fitted. Furniture for the site arrived just a day before the opening today (Friday, April 5).

Two Magpies owner and chief executive Steve Magnall said the building needed a lot of work but it had been worthwhile.

In total, the café has 60 covers including permission for some outside. Two Magpies is in the process of applying for planning permission for an extraction system and in the interim is supplying simple breakfasts and lunches at the site.

The feedback from townspeople had been "really positive", he said, with plaudits for its coffee and hot chocolate and many thankful that Two Magpies chose to set up shop in the town.

"We looked at three sites in Framlingham," he said. He chose the old bank building because it was in a prominent position and was a beautiful building.

"We have got high hopes. I believe it will be one of our big-performing sites," said Steve.

"180,000 people visit the castle every year thanks to Ed Sheeran so hopefully we'll get some of their trade."

Steve has joined Framlingham Business Association which has been "really welcoming". Its chairman attended the opening - along with other business people in the town.

The team achieved a five-week turnaround on the building works, he said, as he praised the team for their efforts. Around 16 full-time equivalent jobs have been created in the town as a result of the launch.

"I have got a really, really good team that make it all happen - it's superb to watch," he said.

If the café goes well, he has scope to expand both upstairs and down in the old vaults.

In time, he hopes to introduce a Supper Club at the site - replicating the success of a Woodbridge Supper Club run by Two Magpies. It runs four times a year with the chef offering a tasting menu.

He receives many suggestions from people hoping he will set up a Two Magpies in their town, he said, but he will take a while before choosing another site.

The Framlingham outlet will be open seven days a week from 8am-5pm, offering hot drinks, pastries, cakes and bread, all handmade by the Two Magpies team. 

Two Magpies Group also has sites in Norwich, Blakeney, Holt, Woodbridge, Wells-next-the-Sea, Beccles, Aldeburgh, Darsham and Southwold.

Steve is taking part in the Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 7, to raise money for mental health charity Suffolk Mind. If you would like to donate, visit www.suffolkmind.org.uk/giving-pages/paris-marathon-2024-steve-magnall/