Browns of Heslington nominated for Press Best Bakery

Browns of Heslington has been nominated by readers for our Best Bakery competition – celebrating the best of the best in the area.

Readers can vote for the Best Bakery 2024 by picking up copies of The Press newspaper until Saturday, September 14, with the winner set to be announced the week of Monday, September 23.

Browns of Heslington sells freshly made sandwiches, cakes and bread – as well as hot food, including fresh pastries, pies and jacket potatoes.

Sandwiches for sale at Browns of Heslington (Image: Newsquest)

The business is popular with students and staff from the nearby University of York, as well as its regulars from the village.

“We bake all of our bread fresh every morning in our on-site craft bakery to make our unique sandwiches we all know and love,” a Browns of Heslington spokesperson said.

Outside Browns of Heslington which Press readers say is one of the best in York (Image: Newsquest)

The business joins nine others which have been nominated by our readers for the Best Bakery competition.

These include Bluebird Bakery, in Acomb Road; Cosgriff and Sons, in Tower Street; Dough, in Bootham; Fred’s Home Bakery, in Albemarle Road; Haxby Bakehouse, in Haxby; Heppni Bakeri, in Swinegate; Little Blondie Bakehouse, in Walmgate; Sweet Dreams Bakery, in George Hudson Street; and the Coffee Pod, in Bishopthorpe.

After nominations opened, Nigel Burton, editor of The Press, said: “Bakeries play an important role in York’s community. From freshly baked loaves in the morning to slices of cake in the afternoon, they brighten up our days.

“The Press wants to celebrate the people behind these businesses, who work hard to keep them here.

“That’s why we’re launching this competition to recognise the best of the best.

“Over the coming weeks we’ll bring you updates on the bakeries in our competition, so keep an eye out and see if your favourite is featured.”

Browns of Heslington which Press readers nominated for our Best Bakery competition (Image: Newsquest)

The Best Bakery series follows our previous competitions, crowing York’s best chippy, best barber or hairdresser and best pub.

Thompsons Fish and Chips in Malton was named best chippy, with kitchen manager Helen Thompson saying it was a surprise to co-owner John Thompson who they kept in the dark about the entry.

 “We took part this without telling John and we’re so happy, the customers were absolutely thrilled for us to be nominated too,” she said after the announcement was made.

Recommended reading:

• ‘We do everything’: the York bakery that's been serving the community for decades
• York bakery where everything is made with sourdough is one of the best, say readers
• This ‘small business with a big heart’ is hoping to be crowned York’s best bakery

Bird House Hair & Beauty, in Gillygate, was named as the best barber or hairdresser.

"I'm absolutely thrilled, I'm both shocked and thrilled,” said co-founder Niki Scare at the time.

 And The Lord Nelson, in Nether Poppleton, was named best pub.

 “I can’t believe it,” said landlord Tom Brown of the news. “The locals round here are going to be absolutely over the moon.”