Flapjackery re-opens Plymouth’s famous Yarmouth Stores

Plymouth’s oldest shop – Yarmouth Stores on the Barbican – is set to re-open, and the famous building will be selling handmade flapjacks.

Business partners Carol Myott and Sally Jenkin, who own Tavistock-based Flapjackery, open their new shop on April 1 where they will be selling their renowned, and multi-award winning, hand made chunky flapjacks and a myriad of other sweet treats.

Yarmouth Stores first opened in 1898 and traded for nearly 120 years selling sailing gear and clothing. It closed in November 2017, with its owners citing competition from online shopping as the main reason, and it has remained empty since.

The listed building has undergone a careful renovation project, which has taken several months to complete, ensuring all the original features, such as the old counters, safe and the pigeon holes, which became synonymous with shopping at Yarmouth Stores, have been retained.

Carol said: “It’s like taking a step back in time when you walk in, we love it, and to be custodians of such an important part of Plymouth’s history is wonderful. It’s a shop full of intrigue and history, and perfect for selling flapjacks.”

She added: “The Barbican is bustling with energy, and the other shop owners have all been so welcoming. We’re very much looking forward to opening Yarmouth’s stores, and welcoming people back to such a wonderful place.”

At each location where Flapjackery has a shop, a charity is nominated to receive donations – 20p for every customer who opts not to use a recyclable box, and a percentage of every Barbican-specific box of six or twelve flapjacks. Last year it raised more than £2000 for RNLI Minehead, Wells Cathedral and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group. Flapjackery Plymouth will support the city’s RNLI station at Millbay Marina off West Hoe Road, home of the Severn Class and the largest boat in the RNLI’s fleet.

Flapjackery was founded in 2015 out of Carol and Sally’s love of home baking. They started baking in their respective kitchen, selling at their local country market in Tavistock, Devon, and the business quickly flourished. Now they employ more than 20 people and more shops are due to open in St Ives and Bath this spring.

Sally said: “It’s incredible to think that flapjacks are so popular. We’re particularly looking forward to opening in Plymouth as we’ve had such a warm welcome, and we’re looking forward to making lots of new friends in the great city.”