George Clarke, the Sunderland-born TV architect known for shows like The Restoration Man and Amazing Spaces, has declared Newcastle's Pure Knead Bakery as 'one of the best bakeries I've ever been in'. The star, who regularly uses Instagram to champion local businesses, shared his praise alongside a photo of the bakery's packed counter filled with baked treats.
Pure Knead Bakery operates three shops in the North East, located in Gosforth, Whitley Bay, and a recently opened branch on Dean Street in Newcastle city centre. The bakery has built a strong reputation among locals and visitors alike, establishing itself as a major player in the region's bakery scene.
George Clarke's Verdict on Pure Knead
In his Instagram post, Clarke wrote: 'One of the best bakeries I've ever been in. The produce is OUTSTANDING! The bread is the best! Hats off to the bakers that start at 3am everyday and to the 27 staff across the business who make and sell beautiful food from 3 independent shops in the North East.'
The post also carried a wider message about supporting independent businesses, as Clarke added: 'Support small, local and independent because running these businesses with high fuel costs (it costs a few quid to bake bread!) and high VAT it's not easy…'
Support for Local Independent Businesses
Clarke's comments come at a time when many independent businesses in the region are closing due to rising costs and falling trade. His call to support local enterprises reflects growing concerns about the sustainability of small operations amid economic pressures.
The post attracted responses from his 279,000 followers, with one commenting: 'The best sourdough I've found in the North East is @purekneadbakery' and another adding: 'We drove from Teesside to buy our sour dough last week...worth the drive!'
