Jamie Oliver seeks to convert historic site into pop-up bakery

In England, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has applied for planning permission to operate a pop-up bakery in a former stable block of his historic residence, Spains Hall. The application was submitted to the Braintree District Council and proposes a trial operation throughout August, aiming to offer baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee to visitors. This initiative intends to run for only one month, with planned operating hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Approximately six employees are anticipated to be needed for the venture, with deliveries scheduled three times each week. The property, which is a Grade I-listed structure dating back to around 1570, has significant architectural and historical importance, protected under UK law. Efforts have been made to ensure that the bakery's operation will not negatively affect the environment or the site's heritage. The proposed operation is described as small-scale and temporary, minimizing the impact on the rural setting while offering a new commercial use for the building. Historically, Spains Hall has been owned by only three families since the Middle Ages and has been used for various functions, including weddings, in recent years. The proposal outlines that no physical changes would be made to the structure, preserving both its internal and external integrity, and ensures access would be limited to a designated area and facilities on the ground floor. Oliver, who lives with his family in the $6.8-million property, previously sought approvals for other repairs on the estate and has worked to renovate the site from disrepair. His ambition for the bakery appears to align with efforts to bring new life to the historic building while providing a unique offering to visitors during the summer month.