Newcastle’s French Oven Celebrates 21 Years in the Heart of Grainger Market

Independent bakery The French Oven will celebrate its 21st birthday on Wednesday 14 October, marking more than two decades in Newcastle’s historic Grainger Market.

The French Oven, based at Unit 27 in Grainger Market’s Arcade, was established in 2005 by owner Emma-Claude Blair-Phillips, who is half French and half Geordie.

The business originally traded as Nichols, before later becoming The French Oven, combining Emma-Claude’s French heritage and love of baking with the food traditions of the North East.

What began as a small independent business has become a familiar part of Grainger Market life, known for freshly baked breads, croissants, sourdough, stotties, savouries, pies, cakes and pastries.

Emma-Claude said:

“I can hardly believe it has been 21 years. When I first opened the shop, I never imagined the business would still be going strong more than two decades later.

“I’m half French and half Geordie, so The French Oven has always been a little bit of both worlds — French baking and food traditions mixed with the things Newcastle customers know and love.

“Grainger Market has changed enormously over those 21 years, but it has always felt like home. We have customers who have been coming to us for years, staff who have become part of the French Oven story and generations of people who have grown up visiting the market.

“Running an independent business is never easy. We’ve been through recessions, Covid, changing shopping habits and plenty of challenges along the way, so reaching 21 feels really special.”

During the Covid lockdown in 2020, Emma-Claude was one of the Grainger Market traders who helped establish a home-delivery service, getting food and essential supplies to people across Newcastle while helping market businesses continue trading.

Emma-Claude added:

“Some of the hardest times have also shown me what makes Grainger Market so special. During Covid, everyone pulled together — traders, customers and the wider Newcastle community.

“That community spirit is a huge part of why The French Oven is still here today.”

To celebrate the anniversary, The French Oven has been sharing photographs, memories and stories from the past 21 years on social media in the run-up to the birthday.

The bakery is also hoping to uncover photographs from its earliest years, particularly from the period when the business was still known as Nichols.

Emma-Claude said:

“I would absolutely love to find photographs from when we first opened. So many people have walked through Grainger Market over the last 21 years and somebody somewhere must have an old photograph with Nichols or the early French Oven in the background.”

The French Oven will celebrate its birthday in Grainger Market on Wednesday 14 October 2026, with birthday treats and a celebration of its 21-year history.

Emma-Claude said:

“Ultimately this celebration is about saying thank you. Small independent businesses only survive because people choose to support them, and Newcastle has supported The French Oven for 21 years.

“I’m incredibly grateful — and hopefully there are plenty more years of The French Oven still to come.”