A POPULAR bakery chain with more than 100 stores across the UK is opening its first shop in Dorset next month.

Wenzel’s The Bakers will unveil its new shop at The Dolphin Poole in the middle of December.

Karl Spinks, general manager at Wenzel’s, said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest Wenzel's store in the vibrant town of Poole.

“Our commitment to quality and freshness remains steadfast; every day, our skilled bakers craft a delightful array of breads and cakes, bringing customers the joy of unparalleled freshness.

“In addition to our bakery delights, our dedicated team prepares sandwiches, paninis, and baguettes fresh on-site daily, ensuring every bite is as fresh as it is delicious.”

The new bakery will create 15 new jobs ranging from management to sales assistants.

It will primarily cater to takeaway customers, but seating will be available in the store.

The Poole store will be the first Wenzel’s in the south west.

Wenzel’s The Bakers has more than 50 stores in London alone and the current nearest bakery is situated in Above Bar in Southampton.

John Grinnell, centre manager at The Dolphin Poole, said: “It is very exciting to be welcoming Wenzel’s to The Dolphin Poole.

“Our offering continues to grow as a community destination for healthcare, education, working, shopping, and leisure, we’re committed to ensuring there are plenty of fantastic food and beverage outlets to choose from.

“Wenzel’s has an excellent reputation as a quality bakery, and we’re delighted that Poole has been chosen as the destination for the brand’s first store in the south west.”

The Poole store will operate Monday to Saturday, from 7am to 8pm, and between 8am to 5.30pm on Sundays.

This year, The Dolphin Poole has welcomed a number of new businesses including Flip Out, Putt Putt Noodle, and High Score Arcades.