Looking to support local? This month’s market at popular village bakery is happening this weekend in Northampton

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.

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’s first ever Duston Food Festival was held last month, which was a celebration of flavour, community and freshly baked joy.

Run in collaboration with Dawn Watts from The Confectionist, attendees enjoyed bakes straight from the Duston Village Bakery ovens, delicious food and drink traders, craft stalls, entertainment for the whole family, and the inaugural pie-eating contest ‘Duston Pie Off’.

Another new introduction for the bakery was 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.

Something that has become a staple in the offerings at Duston Village Bakery since May 2023 is the monthly markets, hosted on the second Saturday and September’s is this weekend (September 12).

Taking place from 9am until 2pm, here are some of the independent and innovative traders who will be in attendance. New to Duston Market this month is Betty’s Bakes, who will be selling freshly baked shortbread in a range of flavours. Pick your favourites, mix and match, or have them beautifully boxed to take home.

Next is Wishing U Well with a lovely selection of children’s toys, gifts and wellbeing products – from wooden playsets to calm strategy cards and worry bears, designed to help children process their big feelings.

Windsor Wax Melt Co. will also be in attendance with their handmade wax melts, including plenty of scents to smell your way through before choosing a favourite.

Customer favourite and award-winner Binkys Boutique is back, and business owner Charlotte Newton-Harris has done a huge restock and has a new selection of autumn clothing and accessories.

Whether you are looking to treat yourself or gift something special to someone else in your life, why not opt to support local in the process? Be sure to swing by the market at Duston Village Bakery on Saturday, and the bakery itself will be fully stocked ready to welcome you in.

For more information on Duston Village Bakery, visit the business’ Facebook page here.