Rishi welcomed Koselig Bakeri to Stokesley High Street as the artisan bakery prepared to open its third store.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP met founders David McAnaney and Emily Grocott, who run the bakery alongside David’s partner and Emily’s Sister, Megan, ahead of the bakery’s official opening.
Koselig, named after a Norwegian-inspired concept loosely translating to “cosy”, was established during the COVID-19 pandemic after David, Megan and Emily left careers in the public sector to pursue their passion for artisan baking and community-focused hospitality.
What began as a bold step during uncertain times has since grown into a thriving independent business, with its first store in Guisborough, a second in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and now a third location in the heart of Stokesley.
Baked goods are prepared daily at the company’s central bakery in Guisborough before being delivered to each store.
Beyond its artisan breads and pastries, Koselig has also built a strong community following through initiatives such as “PinDropClub”, a silent book club attracting more than 60 attendees each week for shared evenings of reading and connection.
During the visit, Rishi met staff, heard about the journey from start-up to multi-site operation, and discussed the challenges and opportunities facing independent high street businesses.
Rishi said: “It was fantastic to visit Koselig ahead of its opening in Stokesley and to meet the team behind such an inspiring local success story. Starting a business during the pandemic took courage and growing it into three locations is a remarkable achievement”.
“Independent businesses like this bring energy and character to our high streets, create local jobs, and strengthen community life. I wish David, Megan, Emily, and the whole team every success as they begin this exciting new chapter in Stokesley.”
David McAnaney, co-founder of Koselig, said:
“The opening weekend in Stokesley was a huge moment for us. Seeing the bakery full and meeting so many people who value local produce and community perfectly summed up what Koselig is about. We’re proud to be growing in North Yorkshire and building neighbourhood bakeries people genuinely want to return to. We were also very grateful to Rishi for taking the time to visit and support us as we begin this next stage of our journey.”
