Gail Lawler, co-founder of Big River Bakery

Appetite grows for popular North East Delicacy

Lumo and Big River Bakery have seen significant demand for stotties grow

Published 03 Oct 2024

NEWCASTLE-based train operator, Lumo and North East bakery, Big River Bakery, have re-introduced stotties onboard the intercity services after a rise in the demand for the humble North East delicacy.

Lumo initially launched the popular bread-based sandwiches as part of a trial earlier this year onboard its services between Newcastle, Edinburgh and London, with stotties now available to buy on all of Lumo’s weekday services departing from Newcastle.

 

Lumo partnered with the Newcastle bakery business, Big River Bakery, in February 2024 as part of National Stottie Cake Week to sell the iconic bread onboard its trains, with a range of popular stotties available onboard including chicken and bacon, tuna, cheese savoury and smashed avocado. The renewed partnership will also see the introduction of a Christmas themed stottie set to delight customers this autumn and winter.

 

Thanks to the collaboration with Lumo, Big River Bakery has been able to expand its business and employ more local people, with two additional team members joining the business as a direct result of the stottie partnership.

 

Since launching the partnership, the train operator has seen stottie sales exceed expectations across its fleet of trains connecting Edinburgh, Newcastle and London, with demand for the regional delicacy continuing to grow.

 

Big River Bakery in Shieldfield first opened its doors in 2019, thanks to founders Andy Haddon and Gail Lawler, and is described as both a bakery and a social enterprise. The business places a key focus on giving back to the community with daily breakfast bags donated to local schools, free community baking sessions, pay-as-you-can-afford days, and free food available for those in need.

 

Gail Lawler, Co-Founder of Big River Bakery said: “Partnering with Lumo is a fantastic boost for our business and means we can deliver more social impact – offering more employment and opportunities for the local community. It’s great to work with like-minded organisations with shared values and who offer the opportunity for meaningful collaboration.”

 

Gail has already published a range of children’s books with the character ‘Scotty the Stottie’ proving popular with families. Her latest edition is set to be published early 2025.

 

A share of profits from the onboard sale of stotties are donated to Lumo’s official charity partner, The Charlie and Carter Foundation, which provides financial support to the parents of children with life-limiting illnesses.

 

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo added: “We are delighted with the response we have seen since launching stotties onboard our services and it’s fantastic to be able to partner with another North East business that gives so much back to the community, whilst also helping to raise funds for our charity partner, The Charlie & Carter Foundation.

 

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to providing social value to local communities while also further enhancing the onboard experience for our customers.”

 

John McCabe, North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “It’s fantastic to see Chamber Partner member Lumo working with Newcastle-based Big River Bakery. Partnerships such as these are key to helping local businesses grow.

 

“We have so much to offer here in the region. This collaboration highlights a strong commitment by both businesses to the community and is key to promoting the North East and everything that makes this region so unique.”

 

Lumo was recently awarded ‘Highly Commended’ recognition for Britain’s ‘Passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards held in London earlier this month.

 

The operator already sells a range of refreshments and snacks onboard from a selection of socially responsible and ethical businesses including Ringtons, Flawsome! Drinks and water in environmentally friendly water cartons.