The former Aumbry owner has teamed up with baker Sophie Yeoman and designer Soo Wilkinson to launch The Creameries all-day restaurant and bakery in Chorlton, Manchester next March.
The menu will focus on British cheese, fish and home-cured meats, and the space will also run children’s baking classes, art clubs and wine and cheese tastings.
The team were initially hoping to raise £20,000 to cover the costs of buying baking equipment, but have now set a stretch target of £50,000 which they say will allow them to open the project in a former Edwardian creamery building without relying on bank loans.
“We're a little flabbergasted...and just so pleased our community is behind us in this project," the team wrote on the Indiegogo crowdfunding page.
"We underestimated how much goodwill there is out there in Manchester and further afield, and how much excitement there is to bring back The Creameries.
“After such an astounding week, we would love to see if we can raise any more money and try to avoid being reliant on borrowing from banks. This will make our business so much stronger when we open and free up money that would have been tied up in loan repayments, meaning we can make the place the best it can be for all our customers, big and small.”
The team has 24 days left of the crowdfunding campaign to reach their new goal.
To view the Indiegogo page click here.