'Scotland's oldest bakery' changes hands after 200 years in the same family

A California-based entrepreneur has bought over what is believed to be Scotland's oldest bakery, ending six generations of family ownership.

Carlos Huerta is set to make the move from Los Angeles to Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, to take over from former owners Barry and Claire Taylor.

After more than 200 years in the Taylor family, the couple, who had run the bakery since 1997, decided last year it was time to move on and sell the family business.

"At the start of this year I really wasn't expecting to be in the process of moving to Scotland but I'm excited for this new chapter of my life," Carlos said.

Carlos, who previously worked in the defence manufacturing industry, said he did not have much experience with bakeries before buying Alexander Taylor last month but had grown up around a passionate baker.

"I grew up with my aunt being the main chef in the family and she has a small takeaway kitchen in Mexico," he told BBC Scotland News.

"I used to help her out in the kitchen, where she would make cakes using recipes that had been passed down from my grandmother.

"That is how she started her business and then it evolved from there."

Carlos had been looking for a change of scene for several years when he came across Alexander Taylor and something struck a chord with him.

"I've always wanted to focus more on the hospitality sector because it fits my personality and I like getting to know people," the 35-year-old said.

"I've spent a lot of time around the manufacturing industry, where everything is strict and has to be done in a certain way, but I have always been more of a people person."

He had looked at another bakery in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway about two years ago but it had not worked out so when his business broker saw Alexander Taylor up for sale, Carlos jumped at the opportunity.

"I was first shown photos of the bakery in January, visited it in February and then we closed the sale in April so it all happened very fast and was quite rushed," he said, drawn straight away to its family roots.

"History is very important to me so that was one of the reasons why I moved forward with it and worked extra hours to make the deal happen."

Carlos added: "Moving to the UK and changing career was something I really wanted to do and I knew that if I had the opportunity, I was going to take it."

Alexander Taylor has been at the heart of the South Lanarkshire town since it opened in 1820, with Barry and Claire taking it over from Barry's father almost 29 years ago.

It was said to be one of seven bakeries within the town centre when it first opened but it is the only one that still remains today.

Each generation of the Taylor family had put its own spin on it to meet the needs of the time period.

Even under Barry and Claire, the bakery went through several changes as the couple experimented with different recipes.

And Carlos, too, plans to make changes and try-out new products.

"I'm not going to take away the customer's favourite pastries or the sourdough that the bakery is known for but there are going to be changes eventually," he said.

"At some point I want to refurbish the bakery and cafe to give it a more Victorian style and aesthetically bring it back to what it looks like in the old family photos."

He said right now he is more focused on how he can make the business more profitable while he tries to find a pastry chef to take on the role Barry played as one of the main bakers.

But amid the busy handover period, he has already planned what his first new addition to Alexander Taylor's stock will be - conchas.

Carlos described the popular Mexican sweet bread as a "small pastry with a sugar glazed topping", with the most common flavours being vanilla and chocolate.

"I've already talked about it with our pastry team and we're working to perfect the recipe," Carlos said, hoping it will be on the shelves next month.

"My family is so important to me and I couldn't have done this without their support so I wanted to bring a part of home to the bakery to remind me of them."

After decades of early mornings and long working hours, Barry and Claire are now relieved the bakery has sold and looking forward to its next chapter.

"There is a lot of love for Alexander Taylor and it is the success it is today thanks to the efforts of previous generations, in particular Barry's parents Edna and Alistair, our staff and our customers," Claire said.

"Carlos's passion for the bakery was apparent from our first meeting and we know his positive energy will help the business progress over the coming years.

"We are so proud of what we have achieved and are leaving the business to good hands."