Half Dozen Other Circle Square

It’s mad to think Circle Square is still a relatively new addition to Manchester city centre. A high and mid-rise neighbourhood just off Oxford Road, this densely packed block or two feels like it has been here forever. Standing on the former site of BBC Manchester, broadcast studios have been replaced by towering apartments, high end restaurants, at least one amazing music venue and a slew of informal eating and drinking spots. One of which is Half Dozen Other, a contemporary bakery specialising in breads, cakes and sweet treats. 

The roots of this business can be traced back to 2017, when Jon and Mark, highly respected founders of central Manc breakfast, brunch and coffee institution Pot Kettle Black, decided to setup PKB Bakehouse at the company’s iconic Barton Arcade location. Hand rolling croissants and dough with all the care and attention you could hope for, things went from good to great and even better as word spread about the quality of their produce. Soon, the operation needed a new home to handle both retail and wholesale demand, and a site was found up in the Green Quarter-Red Bank. That still operates as a counter-only option, with no seating, while these premises at Oxford Road-Circle Square opened later to provide an eat-in cafe option. 

Although known for great coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and a top selection of teas, Half Dozen Other is most renowned for edible delicacies, made using only the finest possible ingredients. That means cultured butter from Normandy, France, cocoa and chocolate from master chocolatiers in Belgium, and organic flour from Shipton Mill. Advocating a slow, un-rushed approach, the team proudly explain on their website they believe “there are few things in life as wonderful as a fresh croissant” and “the answer to life’s problems is often a piece of cake.” We can’t say fairer than that.