Loaf, a cherished community bakery that helped put Stirchley on the map as the best place to live in the Midlands, now faces the threat of closure after nearly 14 years in operation. Founded in 2012 on Pershore Road, Loaf built a loyal following for its fresh breads and cookery classes, becoming a vibrant part of the local community.
The bakery temporarily closed its doors in February, anticipating a move into the Stirchley Cooperative Development (SCD) building — a mixed-use project featuring three shops and 39 flats that Loaf played a key role in developing. However, hopes of reopening there were dashed when GreenSquareAccord, the current builders overseeing the project, unexpectedly reneged on a promise to deliver the building “turnkey,” leaving Loaf and other cooperative members in limbo.
GreenSquareAccord inherited the project after the original contractor went bankrupt. Citing construction challenges that resulted in a £1.16 million funding shortfall, the builder stated it would be “irresponsible” to absorb these additional costs. The company proposed reallocating the commercial spaces to social housing applicants, raising concerns among cooperative businesses about their ability to reclaim retail units.
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Despite an initial offer to sell the development to the cooperative group — fueling a wave of fundraising efforts supported by Birmingham City Council — GreenSquareAccord later raised the asking price, effectively pricing out the cooperative and offering no clear timeline for the project’s completion.
This uncertainty has left Loaf, alongside fellow community businesses Birmingham Bike Foundry and Artefact, scrambling to maintain income and plan for the future. Neil Holland, a Loaf director, explains that the nine-member team has been working reduced hours, baking just enough to stay afloat. “The shifting completion dates force us to plan in short spurts,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking not knowing if we’ll still have jobs next month.”
In the meantime, Loaf has been fortunate to share space with local specialty coffee shop Anosh at Deadbeat Bar and to bake at Steamhouse bakery in Redditch to serve their devoted customers. The Stirchley community has also rallied—recently, the now-closed Verbena offered their Pershore Road premises to help keep Loaf operating.
Loaf’s challenges are compounded by logistical hurdles; the bakery’s oven remains in the unfinished cooperative building because moving it twice would be cost-prohibitive.
GreenSquareAccord’s spokesperson attributed the escalating costs to inflation, interest charges, and construction difficulties—including issues discovered after taking over from the previous contractor. They emphasized that as a nonprofit social housing provider, absorbing the shortfall would compromise investment in homes and services. The company affirmed its commitment to working with Birmingham City Council to allocate homes appropriately and maintain dialogue with the businesses impacted.
Birmingham City Council has expressed support for community-led housing and the cooperative’s vision, providing financial and operational aid. The council advocates for flexibility from all parties to reach a solution that benefits both the community and those awaiting social housing—currently numbering nearly 24,000 in Birmingham.
For now, Loaf’s staff grapple with uncertainty and dwindling income but remain steadfast. “We made it through Covid, barely,” Neil said. “Now it feels like we’re back at square one, with our world turned upside down. We just want to keep doing what we love.”
To bridge the gap, Loaf has launched a crowdfunding campaign and continues to connect with customers through pop-up events. The community’s support will be vital as this beloved bakery fights to survive and continue its role at the heart of Stirchley.