The announcement of 40 new jobs at a café-bistro in Derry~Londonderry has been welcomed by manager of the Foodovation Centre at North West Regional College (NWRC), Brian McDermott.
Primrose Bakery based at Carlisle Road and the City’s Quay has announced details of a major expansion into new premises at Strand Road.
The business, run by husband and wife team Ciaran and Melanie Breslin, is one of a number of clients to have benefited from mentoring at the Foodovation Centre at NWRC which enables food businesses realise their full potential.
“I am delighted to see Ciaran and Melanie open a new chapter in the development of Primrose,” said Brian McDermott, “especially on the back of the strong mentoring and collaborative partnership they have had with the Foodovation Centre at North West Regional College.
“Primrose is a brand is one that has grown organically through the passion and drive of Ciaran and Melanie, and it's been exciting for the NWRC's Foodovation centre to be working alongside them and helping them to achieve their business goals.”
Primrose is one of the success stories of the food and drink and hospitality industry in the North West.
The company are now recruiting for a number of full and part time positions including include chefs of all grades, front of house staff, waiters and waitresses, baristas, deli and bakery assistants, kitchen porters, and a mixologist.
Renovations are currently underway on the 6,000 sq ft site on the Strand Road (formerly T.E. Howie’s) to create a unique day to night dining experience which will include a new café/restaurant and cocktail bar, as well as coffee to go and a takeaway lunch menu.
The famous ‘scratch bakery’ – where all of Primrose’s bread and cakes are made fresh from scratch, every day – will also move on site.
A selection of breads and patisserie items, as well as delicatessen from Breslin’s butchers, will also be on sale to take out for the first time.
Primrose Strand Road will open at the end of October.
Ciaran Breslin said: “We’re constantly trying to evolve the business and stay ahead of trends, so we’re confident this will be the start of something completely new for Derry.”
“This really is one of a kind, there’s nothing like it out there,” added Melanie.
“We’ll have the bakery open so that customers can see everything that’s going on, and we’ll have the open kitchen as well.
“We’ve a cocktail bar, patisserie counter, delicatessen and bakery items for retail, grab and go coffee, all under one roof.”
