Shops shops shops

It has been a start to 2025 that I really couldn't have predicted. Black Cat Sourdough and SourDoughnuts are suddenly all over the place, and I can't stop smiling about that.

I'm absolutely thrilled to be associated with some of my favourite brands, and places to visit in Essex and Suffolk. As well as forever grateful for our existing stockists who have been Black Cat cheerleaders for years.

You can now get Black Cat Sourdough @

• Barrells of Wivenhoe

• Crouch St Bakes, Colchester

• Fields Farm Shop, East Bergholt

• Frankie's of Hadleigh

• Honey & Harvey

• Love Local, Copford

• Little Merchant, Dedham

• River Colne Deli, Brightlingsea

As usual, you can order directly via the website, for local delivery by our wonderful team [Ecargobike colchester, Pippa, Bev, Emmy, Jonny, and the OG Black Cat Papa]. Our availability for direct customer deliveries is currently significantly reduced on Saturdays due to our wholesale output.

The end to 2024 was really stressful. As many customers know, that saw the end of my long-standing relationship with an ecoshop in Colchester - one of my first, and much-valued, stockists. I was terrified that the bakery would decline given the loss of one of its biggest customers, and became quite anxious about my financial security. In the past few months I have had numerous reasons reported to me about this breakdown from the shop's customers, and whilst trying to keep a dignified silence, that has been hard not to respond to. I remain sorry to no longer be stocked there, but can now see the light and opportunity that comes from leaving a challenging relationship.

We're currently working to the max that our space allows, and as ever, hope to change that in the near term. Whether that be new space and equipment, or more staff to allow additional baking days.

As always, thanks to YOU, our wonderful customers for loving our output, creating the hype, and spreading the word.

Ayala x