Viral Edinburgh bakery forced to introduce new rules as crowds continue

The owner of a viral and award-winning Edinburgh bakery has issued an update to customers nearly one year after eager shoppers were seen queuing down the street ahead of its grand opening.

On July 29, 2023, Darcie Maher officially opened Lannan on Hamilton Place and the bakery was an instant hit with locals who were pictured in huge queues from the crack of dawn.

Just weeks after opening, we reported how some customers flocked to the bakery and stood waiting outside for 'up to an hour' to get their hands on expertly-crafted pastries.

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Ahead of what is anticipated to be another busy summer period, Darcie took to Instagram to lay down a few rules and admitted one major change is something she has tried to avoid since the store opened.

According to Darcie, queues have started to build earlier each day and popular items are selling out before 10am. To combat this, she has decided to limit customers to two of each pastry and encouraged those who don't want to miss out to arrive between 7.30am-9am.

She also asked if customers could refrain from taking pictures and videos of her and the team at work as it is a "distraction" and makes staff "uncomfortable."

Sharing an update on Instagram she posted: "Summer is here and Lannan is busier than ever - viennoiserie is selling out by 10am and the queue is starting earlier each day. So starting from Thursday, in line with feedback from our staff and customers, we’re putting a limit of two of each pastry per customer. This is something I’ve tried to avoid since we opened, but it’s now a necessary step to ensure as many of you as possible are able to try our pastries.

"We advise you arrive between 7.30-9 to purchase viennoiserie. Cakes and custard slice come out around 9/9.30, sandwiches and pala romana come out around 11/11.30.

"We’d like to kindly ask that you avoid taking photographs of us at work, that includes both front and back of house. We’re so happy that you enjoy the bakery as much as we do, and we love seeing all your photographs but please don’t photograph us while we’re working, it’s a distraction and it makes us uncomfortable!

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"Finally, please try to stick to six people in the shop at a time, we’re only small! The fuller the shop, the less you can see what’s on the counter and valuable things are getting broken by backpacks etc.

"We’re a small bakery, with a small team and we’re working at maximum capacity everyday. I’m aware it may seem like I’m laying down too many rules, but my priority is keeping both my wonderful staff and customers happy - I hope this will do both!

"Thank you so much for all your support, and we’re looking forward to seeing you from Thursday, Darcie x."

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On Tuesday, June 25, we reported how Lannan was crowned 'World's Best Newcomer' at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.

Renowned gastronomic guide La Liste put together the top pastry outlets across the world, with 24 Scottish bakeries making the cut. Lannan in Stockbridge made a spot on the list, as well as being branded the world's best newcomer.

For all the latest news and updates from the team at Lannan, you can follow the bakery on Instagram here.