History

The History and ongoing story of Derby Pyclets

1864:
The Monk family opens the Pyclet Bakery in Edward Street, Derby, and sells pyclets from barrows under the Guildhall arch. 

1914:
Emily Monk begins selling pyclets from her barrow, a tradition she continues until 1963. 
1963:
Emily Monk passes away, and Rose, who lived next door and had assisted the family for many years, takes over the barrow. 
1973:
Production of pyclets ceases due to the Oil Crisis, the rise of supermarkets, and a lack of interest from younger family members. 
1974:
The Pyclet Bakery is divided into houses, and the tradition of Derby pyclets fades into history.

2011:

Mark Hughes, inspired by a mention of the Monk family in old house deeds,

 begins experimenting with a pyclet recipe and starts selling them again. 

Mark and his business partner sell from Derby Market Hall and attempt a bakery in Darley Abbey Mills which closed shortly after.

2016: A big year for Derby Pyclets, winning the BBC food and farming awards maongst others the bakery is taken over by Katie Gibson who continues production and dine in in Derby Market Hall just feet away from where they were sold by the Monk Family  Derby Pyclet Parlour sees the introduction of new flavours, including gluten and dairy free varieties and the introduction of a new dine in menu and drinks service.

2018: Following a decline in the Market Hall prior to the roof refurbishment starting it was evident that we needed to move location to survive as a business and the scaffolding and debris falling through the false roof was the nail in the coffin that saw us move to the Post House on Victoria Street.  A short but sweet move that, despite the location being unsuitable, saw us invest in new equipment, develop our menu and reach a lot of new people including a much younger audience.

2018-2020:  After defaulting to baking at Stepping Lane when we left the Post House due to legal proceedings against them we sat back and tried to make our next move right.  Building a new unit including a separate dining area for the first time at an exciting point where the Eagle Market was growing was an exciting time for us where we stayed for the next two years as the market died around us until we were the only stall in an island of closures.

2020-2021: Covid struck and ended our time at the Eagle Market, we set up straight away doing door to door deliveries of pyclets, oatcakes and essentials as the country entered lockdown and traded at outdoor markets to keep the business alive and our customers happy.

2021-2022: Katie opened up the doors to 12 Sadler Gate her own flagship store, 3 floors of parlour, prep kitchen and private dining rooms, unfortunately the style, 12 years of customer engagement, menus and delish fluffy pyclets couldn't save it from global financial battering from the petrol crisis emptying town, Omicron emerging a month later resulting in an unoffical unsupported lockdown followed shortly  by Putin's war on Ukraine resulting in sky high flour prices and the energy crisis which closed down half of sadler gate.

2022-2023:  Costs were cut in order to recuperate from the losses of the previous year and ensure the survival of Derby Pyclets in a click and collect and local delivery model.  2022 also saw Katie write Taste the Menu - A recipe book with our story.

2024: We had the opportunity to join Derby Heritage Centre to serve pyclets on their top floor for four months to bring our menu  back to the people again.  2024 was the year we took Derby Pyclets to the houses of Parliament to showcase Derby's Finest to the cabinet after Prime Ministers question time.

In the summer of 2024 Katie looked to move on to study a bachelors in Psychology though by December Derby Pyclets was with the Gibson's once more and is being rebuilt shop by shop and cafe too and is beginning to thrive once again, looking forward to a future in retail for the time being.