Russell Goodwin

Russell Goodwin, a graduate from the School of Artisan Food has set-up an innovative business model for his delicious artisan products, selling to Manchester commuters.

“The idea is to sell to people on their way home at a time of day that suits them – perfect for supper or ideal for breakfast.”

Russell Goodwin is the owner and founder of Companio Bakery – Manchester’s first Community Supported Bakery. It’s an innovative business model where artisan breads, savouries and pastries are baked in the morning and sold later in the day to commuters at train stations as well as from the bakery premises.

Russell studied on the first Advanced Diploma in Baking at the School of Artisan Food, graduating in 2011. Inspired by tutors Emmanuel Hadjiandreou and Wayne Caddy, he went on to gain valuable baking and business experience working for three years as an Artisan Baker and Director of the highly successful Handmade Bakery in Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire – one of the UK’s first community-supported bakeries.

“I’ve created Companio Bakery because I want to provide Manchester with high quality, slow-fermented, healthy and nutritious sourdough breads as well as savoury danish and delicious patisserie – all made by hand using traditional methods and natural ingredients.”

A vital aspect of the business model is about lifestyle. Russell explains, “I love baking real bread but it often means working anti-social hours, however, this model means no working through the night or early starts so my customers get to enjoy quality bread at their convenience and I get to have a life too!”

Russell has already started baking from a temporary kitchen unit in south Manchester from March this year. He is currently driving to Salford Central Train Station and setting up a small market stall but is having a bread bike trailer built to be able to cycle to train stations in the near future. Business has been going extremely well and he has already built up a loyal following of customers who are delighted and surprised to be able to buy quality bread from their station.

Find out more about Companio Bakery.

Inspired to set up your own artisan food business? Take a look at our range of food start-up business courses designed to take your business from wishful thinking to commercial reality.