The owner of a much-loved bakery has transformed the upstairs space of her building into affordable bookables studios for the Northampton community.

Duston Village Bakery on Main Road is adored by loyal customers and impressively celebrated its centenary anniversary in June 2025, when the community arrived in their hundreds to show their support.

It was once known as Faulkner’s and the building was bought from the Amos family by the Faulkner family for just £15 back in 1925. It was taken over by Jenni Smith in 2012, who believes the building was a butcher prior to being the bakery it is known as today.

Jenni has worked at the bakery for around 35 years, and began as a Saturday girl before working her way up to owning the business more than two decades later. When she took over, Jenni’s two main aims were to do the best she could and to make people proud of Duston.

A new introduction for Duston Village Bakery is its two upstairs studios, and the bright and airy spaces are perfect for workshops, meetings, pop-ups and hosting.

placeholder image — A new introduction for Duston Village Bakery is its two upstairs studios, and the bright and airy spaces are perfect for workshops, meetings, pop-ups and hosting.

The pandemic was the pivotal moment when Jenni realised how important Duston Village Bakery is to the community, as they delivered to so many during unprecedented times. It is now praised as the hub of the village and is still going strong despite the price hike in recent years.

Duston Village Bakery took to social media earlier this year to announce the first ever Duston Food Festival 2026, which aims to be a celebration of flavour, community and freshly baked joy.

Running in collaboration with Dawn Watts from The Confectionist, the event will take place from 10am until 3pm on August 23. Attendees can enjoy bakes straight from the Duston Village Bakery ovens, delicious food and drink traders, entertainment for the whole family, and the inaugural pie-eating contest ‘Duston Pie Off’.

Another new introduction for the bakery is its two upstairs studios, which Jenni invested in refurbishing after moving the space where she makes her cakes. The bright and airy spaces are perfect for workshops, meetings, pop-ups and hosting.

Just a few examples of what has been previously held in the new spaces at Duston Village Bakery, and what is coming up for the rest of May.

The larger studio space, which includes a newly-fitted air conditioning unit, has a modern and flexible layout, tables and seating, high-speed WiFi, kitchen access and toilet facilities.

The calm and fully equipped space is available to hire from Mondays to Saturdays. The weekday morning slot from 9am until midday is £40, and so is the afternoon slot from 1pm until 4pm. The full day, from 9am until 4pm, is £70. The same space is available to hire from 9am until 2pm on Saturdays for £60.

The Cosy Six is the second private space, suitable for up to six people and has the same amenities. This is available for meetings and consultations, as well as the other possibilities listed above, and the quiet upstairs space has multiple power points.

The weekday morning slot from 9am until midday is £25 and so is the weekday afternoon slot from 1pm until 4pm. It is also available to hire from 9am until 2pm on Saturdays for £45.

For more information, to enquire or book, email Jenni Smith on [email protected] or call Duston Village Bakery on 01604 752247.