A DELIGHTED bakery owner has said it is "nice to finally welcome" customers to his new eatery, which has opened to huge success. 

Blackberry Bakery, in Stanway, has been in existence for more than 48 years.

It is hugely popular with residents across the city and has been operating under the ownership of Anthony Gazda for the last 12 years.

A new site opened in Marks Tey on Monday, run by London Road Bakery, with Blackberry Bakery supplying them with all its goods.

It offers a range of products for customers, such as bread, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and more.

Gazette: Delicious - inside the new bakeryDelicious - inside the new bakery (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Gazda has been overjoyed with the response so far.

He said: “We had some delays with the counters but once they came we were finally ready to open.

“The first day we had 155 customers, who were all very happy.

“People have been waiting for it to open so it has been really nice to finally welcome them in.

“We have a range of food and drink available, and plenty of customers have left very pleased.”

Gazette: Delicious - a variety of sweet treats on offerDelicious - a variety of sweet treats on offer (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Gazda moved from Poland to the UK in 2004 before settling in Colchester and working as a baker at The Food Company for seven years.

In addition to Blackberry Bakery, the baker also oversees a 5,000 sq ft bakery in the Hythe.

Since taking over the business it has grown from strength to strength, shifting its baking operation to Whitehall Industrial Estate to make way for a café area at the Blackberry Road site.

His strong workforce supplies freshly baked bread to more than 500 wholesale customers.

Gazette: Variety - the new bakery has lots of delicious food to chose from, supplied by Blackberry BakeryVariety - the new bakery has lots of delicious food to chose from, supplied by Blackberry Bakery (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Gazda added: “The new shop was open from eight until four on the first day, but we were so busy right until the end so we are looking at extending the opening hours.

“The plan is to be open from Monday to Saturday.”

Speaking previously, Mr Gazda said his teams strive to bake customers nearly anything they want, with the best seller being extra-long sandwich tin used for afternoon tea.

“We are a custom bakery and very flexible on customer’s orders," he said.