Popular Sutton Coldfield Bakery Announces Third Outlet at Historic Thorpe Estate
The beloved Silver Tree Bakery, founded by siblings Kirk Bick and Kirsty Cosgrave, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with plans to open its third outlet at the historic Thorpe Estate in Staffordshire. This expansion represents a significant milestone for the bakery that began as a pandemic-era pivot and has grown into a thriving local institution.
From Pandemic Pivot to Expansion Success
Silver Tree Bakery's journey began in 2020 when the siblings' catering business faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. With bookings cancelled overnight, they creatively adapted by selling baked items and food parcels through door-to-door deliveries. Their initial success led to establishing a Scandinavian-style chalet bakery outlet near their Minworth homes, which quickly gained popularity with customers often queuing down Water Orton Lane during peak periods.
The bakery's growing reputation prompted a move into Sutton Coldfield town centre, where they first operated a pop-up in the former Ernest Jones premises before settling into their current custom-furnished location facing King's Court in the Gracechurch Centre. This expansion provided nearly triple the capacity and includes an upcoming shared working area upstairs, demonstrating their commitment to community spaces.
Historic Estate Transformation
The new outlet will occupy a transformed heritage agricultural building at Thorpe Estate, a 2,500-acre working estate near Thorpe Constantine, northeast of Tamworth. The estate has received £50,000 through the Rural England Prosperity Fund to convert the previously redundant building into a modern bakery while preserving its historic character.
The funding will support essential improvements including roof repairs, new windows and doors, and thermal insulation installation. These enhancements will not only preserve the historic structure but also improve its long-term sustainability, aligning with both the estate's and bakery's environmental values.
Community and Sustainability Focus
Kirk Bick expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, stating: "We're incredibly grateful to Lichfield District Council for their support through the Rural England Prosperity Fund and to Thorpe Estate for welcoming us into such a special setting. This project perfectly aligns with our values around craftsmanship, sustainability and community."
The bakery is scheduled to open at Thorpe Estate on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, with the aim of creating a vibrant new destination for both local residents and visitors. The outlet will showcase Silver Tree Bakery's artisanal produce while supporting the estate's focus on sustainable farming, conservation, and rural diversification.
Strategic Support and Future Vision
Tristan Lillingston, director at Thorpe Estate, highlighted the importance of the funding: "This grant has been a catalyst for our vision allowing us to invest in high-quality, sustainable materials that respect the history of the estate while ensuring we are prepared for a greener future."
The Rural England Prosperity Fund, which originates from Government sources, specifically aims to support micro and small businesses, encourage low-carbon farming practices, and facilitate the conversion of rural buildings for new commercial purposes. Lichfield District Council has identified this initiative as a key component of their broader Lichfield 2050 strategy, which focuses on creating prosperous, resilient communities through entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, Lichfield's visitor chief, commented: "I'm delighted we have been able to deliver a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant for this development. The funding is helping to breathe new life into a building with a focus on heritage preservation and sustainability, while creating jobs and encouraging rural economic growth."
This expansion represents not just business growth for Silver Tree Bakery, but a meaningful contribution to Staffordshire's rural economy and heritage preservation efforts, creating new employment opportunities while bringing artisanal baked goods to another community in the region.
