'Amazing' neighbourhood bakery in Levenshulme named among best in the UK

A neighbourhood bakery in Manchester run by an all-female team has been named in a list of the best bakeries in the UK. Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme was praised in a list of the top 13 bakeries "worth queuing for" published by The Telegraph national newspaper at the weekend.

The bakery opened in 2020 taking over a corner shop that had been empty for 16 years on Forest Range and Birdhall Grove, selling cakes and bakes to go. It is run by Jenny Oakenfull and her team of 7 women, with their mouth-watering baked goods sold from their Levenshulme shop and selected cafes across the region too.

Long Boi's was one of two bakeries featured for the "north of England" in the feature, alongside Northern Rye in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The Telegraph said it highlighted bakeries "notable for their ethical practices and imaginative flavours and often found in unexpected places," that are "worthy of your time queuing and waiting".

READ MORE: "I took my kids to my old Manchester nightclub for a great Sunday roast dinner"

Long Boi's Bakehouse posted an image of the article and owner Jenny wrote: "First time this has happened so thought we should memorialise it 4EVA on the grid. Feeling very proud."

Jenny told the MEN: "As we're not a city centre bakery I think we can sometimes get overlooked when people are making lists about Manchester's bakery scene etc, so it feels really great to be included in such a prestigious list alongside so many other people in the industry we look up to.

"The piece in the Telegraph was a complete surprise! I'm just feeling very proud that mine and the team's hard work is being spotlighted."

The article is based on the findings of author Milly Kenny-Ryder whose book "Britain's Best Bakeries" will be released on May 4. She wrote of Long Boi's inclusion in the book that it offers "colourful, decadent baking at its best."

Milly said: "There is a strong community and sustainability ethos here, and the amazing (all-woman) team are always working on a new special. Popular bakes include their vegan blueberry and dark chocolate babka and he picture-perfect lamingtons."

Jenny added of the inclusion in the book: "I feel so proud that this little bakery in a slightly obscure suburb of Manchester is sitting on the pages next to so many people in the industry that we look up to and admire."

Fans of Long Boi's, as well as fellow bakeries, were quick to applaud the news. Kin Bakehouse wrote: "Congrats Jenny that's so cool", while The Crafty Cheeseman said: "That's amazing!!! Congratulations."

Lauchristou added: "There's no other bakery I'd spend a £40 round trip in an Uber for." While Marielosborn wrote: "That's beacause you're SO GOOD!"

The Britain's Best Bakeries book will be available to buy from Long Boi's Bakehouse once it is released on May 4.

The bakery is open Wednesday to Sunday for takeaway coffes, cakes and bakes. They also takes commissions for colourful wedding and event cakes.

Fans can also pick up their products which are sold at Kiosk on Lapwing, Something More Productive, Detaljer in Knutsford, Kobean in Heaton Moor and Fog Lane Park Cafe.

As for expansion plans, Jenny says she'd love to, but it's all about finding the right spot. She says: "It just keeps getting busier here in Levenshulme! Which is so lovely, we really feel part of the community and the community has definitely kept us afloat in what is probably quite a crazy time to open a business.

"I'd love to open another one but it's finding the right spot, the brand is definitely about being a neighbourhood bakery, so I guess it depends on which neighbourhood would like another Long Boi's at its heart!"