Instagram: @lucyslittlebakehouse
In the final stages of finishing my book The Yorkshire Postie at HAD print, Halifax they put me in touch with Lucy Chapple of Lucy’s Little Bake House on Westgate Arcade telling me she would love to take some books to sell in her café to help me raise money for charity. Incredibly generous of her it turns out she also makes some cracking bakes & cakes served with some superb coffee too. I sat down with Lucy to talk all things treats, Halifax and Yorkshire.
When did you have the idea to open your own café, and what inspired you?
It all started in 2019 when I began baking in my kitchen while working at my dad’s accounts office in Wakefield. I wanted to do something I loved. I saw others starting small bakeries and decided to try selling my brownies, which everyone loved. I used a 20-year-old recipe and started selling them on Facebook. A friend made me a logo, and within four months, I quit my job as the brownies did really well. During COVID, I continued with contactless deliveries. My friend Pam, an excellent baker, joined me, and we started making mixed boxes. In July 2020, we rented a unit on Hanson Lane and became a limited company. We did markets and eventually moved to Westgate Arcade, a more central location. We decided to include chairs and tables, turning it into a coffee shop. I’m glad we did.
What are your earliest memories of baking, and who influenced you?
My grandma influenced me the most. I have fond memories of baking with her as a child. We would cream butter and sugar by hand for Victoria sponges and cupcakes, which was exhausting but memorable. She is definitely my biggest influence.
Is the Westgate Arcade an ideal place for your business, and what are your thoughts on its future plans?
It feels like an up-and-coming area. When we first visited, it was busy, especially on Saturdays, which convinced us to move here. The place continues to get better, with live bands and new developments planned. Events at the Piece Hall also bring in a lot of traffic, making it an exciting place to be.
You have a mobile bake box taking your bakes & cakes on the road. Do you have any other events planned?
We recently did the Baildon carnival and will be at the agricultural show on Savile Park Moor. I have great memories of going there as a kid. We also supply scones to the WI tent at the show, which is a lovely tradition we enjoy.
Do you pride yourself on baking on-site, and does this reflect in customer feedback? Absolutely. We bake everything the day before and sell leftovers as “wonky bakes” at a discount. We stand by the quality of our bakes and coffee. Our customers consistently give us great feedback, and we prioritize quality over cost. For example our coffee we buy from Castroni Coffee in Huddersfield, we could get our coffee cheaper but his coffee is so good we would rather have the quality and pay a little bit more for it.
What items would you recommend to customers, and what is your favourite?
We offer a mix of traditional and modern bakes. Popular items include Victoria sponge, Bakewells, scones, and triple chocolate brownies. Personally, I love the mini Victoria sponge.
Does your partner Peter J Chapple artwork in the café inspire you?
Definitely. It’s nice to showcase my husband’s art in the café. He’s very talented, and people can buy his work. Our house at home is like an art gallery, he’s got an exhibition at the moment at Dean Clough and has set up his easel outside the café before to paint.
What has it been like with the recent buzz around Halifax?
It’s amazing. We get a lot of visitors from events like the Anne Lister birthday weekend and Piece Hall gigs. People prefer independent coffee shops over chains, so we get good traffic. It’s cool to see Halifax in the spotlight with TV series like “Gentleman Jack” and “Happy Valley.”
On your marks, get set, bake! what makes you proud to be from Yorkshire?
The people. Yorkshire folk are friendly and have big hearts. Visitors often comment on how friendly everyone is. We support other local businesses, which creates a unique community vibe. I moved back to Yorkshire after living in Liverpool and realized how beautiful and green it is here. The friendliness and support among local businesses make me proud to be from Yorkshire.
