A NEW bakery from the team behind two popular Chester restaurants is offering some of its produce for free during ‘practice bakes’.

Usher’s Bakehouse, on Lightfood Street, is the latest business project from Gary Usher, founder of Elite Bistros, which counts Sticky Walnut, Hoole and The White Horse, Churton among its group of restaurants.

The new location in Cestrian Court officially has not ‘officially’ opened and rather than charging customers, the new business has had trial runs over the last week which saw residents able to come and take home a limited amount of products for free.

The business announced that these 'practice bakes' would continue this week.

The bakery offers a range of signature breads such as brioche, sourdough and rye, which feature on the menus of Elite Bistro restaurants as well as other sweet treats, including a crème brûlée doughnut.

Usher’s Bakehouse holds a personal significance for Mr Usher who explained on social media that his grandfather’s bakery, founded in 1968, was part of the inspiration behind the business.

He said: “My grandad opened a bakery about 50 years ago & my dad took it over when he got ill & opened two more. Bread has always been really important in my family so it’s only right our next venture should be a bakery in Chester. Sourdough, focaccia… & maybe a few custard tarts?”

Usher’s Bakehouse posted on X (formerly Twitter) last week:

“MORNING.

“We are a new bakery in Hoole Chester & we have loads of parking & it’s dead easy to get to us. If f you’re coming out of Chester through Boughton go past the Waitrose & take the next left at Boughton medical centre, go over the railway bridge & we’re on the right…”

The business added a quick correction, saying: “…we’re on the left.”

They have since announced today (Tuesday, August 27) that the practice bakes will continue this week, as they gear up towards opening officially.