Everyone has their own traditions at Christmas, whether it be a day filled with board games and food or questionable condiments to accompany your Christmas dinner. However, for Aiden Ryan, founder of the pink-clad Manchester bakery famed for its loaf-shaped cakes, Loaf, Christmas Day is a little bit different as every year he visits the homeless and offers them gifts.
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And this Christmas the owner of Loaf wants to go that bit further by opening his Oxford Street bakery on Christmas Day to provide a cosy place and “make someone’s day with a little bit of kindness”. Announcing the news on social media, Aiden Ryan said Loaf will be somewhere to go if you’re feeling lonely, low, or just need to get out of the house and that “the pink palace awaits you…”
The post continued: “We’ll be putting out cakes at a special rate, serving up delicious hot drinks (with free options for people struggling for cash), and giving people the chance to have a cosy space for some of the day should they want or need it.
“Every Christmas, my family and I go to Manchester City Centre and give presents to the homeless and spend a little time talking with them. This is something close to their heart and mine.
“Now I have Loaf on Oxford St, I have a vessel in the centre of town which means we can house more presents and make someone’s day with a little bit of kindness.”
Aiden began the Manchester business back in May 2020 by baking to raise money for NHS Million whilst on furlough. What was only supposed to be temporary kickstarted a career in baking, providing the people of Manchester with a slice of happiness in the form of cake, with the Oxford Street branch opening in November 2022.
The owner of Loaf is also inviting Mancs to get involved in an act of good will by donating gifts in order to brighten up someone’s Christmas this year! From toiletries, gloves and scarves to toys and books, anything you’d like to give is welcome, and these presents could be for someone without a home or someone alone this Christmas.
Aiden Ryan added: “If you want to give something to the cause, drop a wrapped or boxed present into Loaf with a small description of what’s inside! This will help us give people some choice when gifting them out to people.”
You can email Oxfordstreet@loafmcr.com or direct message Loaf on Instagram if you want to offer a gift or be involved.
Loaf can be found at 83 Oxford Street, M1 6EG.