A HEREFORDSHIRE baker who had his new shop opened by a celebrity chef is giving it a makeover.

The refurb, which has already started, aims to showcase how "real bread" is made.

Peter Cooks Bread, based at Bishop's Frome, near Bromyard, opened the shop at 3 The Hopmarket in Worcester at the end of last year.

That city centre shop is now closed temporarily while the two-week project is underway.

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Owners aim to reopen the city centre shop on Monday, January 30.

However, owner Peter Cook hopes the work on the "beautiful grade II-listed building" will mean the shop can better demonstrate how their prize-winning bread and pastries are made, providing a window into the craft of an artisan bakery.

The scheme itself is by a local designer who has come out of retirement to remodel the shop.

The aim is to show customers – and food enthusiasts and college students – how bread and pastries are made including the work of a dough laminator.

The design will help Peter Cooks Bread host competitions for schools and catering colleges for best mince pies at Christmas and best bread in the summer.

Peter Cooks Bread was officially opened by television chef Marcus Bean at 3 The Hopmarket, Worcester, on Saturday, December 10 with customers queueing up to sample his freshly baked bread and pastries.

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Peter Cooks Bread won Slow Food baker of the year for the third year running on Wednesday.

At the moment Mr Cook is keeping tight-lipped about the changes to the shop but says the designer impressed him with his previous work.

He said: "It's our showcase shop - and we're hoping customers will be impressed by the result. We want to surprise and impress our customers."

A spokesperson for Peter Cooks Bread said: "Thank you so much to all those that have supported and loved our shop so far.

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"We are creating a wonderful, beautiful space that will show off our delicious produce to its best.

"Poppy and her team will be back in two weeks time so until then, if you would like to continue buying our goodies, please seek out your local stockist."

Peter Cook also said he was glad to be supporting the Hopmarket Charity where income from the assets of the charity is held on trust to help 'needy persons in the City of Worcester'. 

At the opening he said he had been looking to find a shop for the last two years to get a foothold in retail, describing the Hopmarket as 'lovely architecturally' as the site for a shop.

He said: "The bread is all Real Bread - it doesn't have any additives. There are no shortcuts. It is made from scratch. I'm an ambassador for the Real Bread Campaign which is a bit like what CAMRA was for real ale.

"There's a Real Bread Revolution going on all around the country. It's great to bring that revolution to Worcester. Once you have tried Real Bread you don't go back again."