Newcastle bakery picks up £25,000 grant from AirB&B to support 'Stottie Week'
Travel brand AirB&B has announced the recipients of its Best of British fund, with a local bakery picking up some cash.
Big River Bakery, which has been awarded £25,000 to help them deliver National Stottie Week 2026 on Tyneside.
The Best of British Fund is a £1 million initiative launched in partnership with Visit Britain to fuel local hospitality, boost tourism in communities across the UK, and celebrate the traditions and experiences that make British travel unique and unforgettable.
After reviewing thousands of applications across the UK, Airbnb has selected twenty-five winners who will be provided with a grant to help transform their local projects into must-see visitor experiences, to support local tourism and drive economic growth.
Big River Bakery was selected as a winner in the Food and Dining category. A small community bakery located in Newcastle, the business is best known for running
National Stottie Week - a celebration of the city’s iconic baked good - helping to showcase the food culture of the North East. Big River Bakery also supports the local community, providing free breakfasts daily to a local school, free baking for local children in the summer holidays and distributing free food to food banks.
Big River Bakery will use the Airbnb Best of British Funding to enhance National Stottie Week in 2026, introducing a free, family-friendly and digital trail in Newcastle to celebrate the history and culture of the stottie, in a fun and interactive way.
Gail Lawler, Director at Big River Bakery, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been named a winner of Airbnb’s Best of British Fund. The stottie is such an iconic part of heritage in the North East.
“This funding will allow us to make 2026 National Stottie Week’s biggest and most inclusive celebration yet, enabling us to introduce new initiatives for the community to get involved in, while strengthening our ability to give back to the city of Newcastle.”
Luke Impett, Partnerships and External Affairs Senior Manager for Airbnb UK, added: “From centuries-old festivals in market towns to hands-on food experiences in coastal villages, Britain is full of extraordinary local traditions waiting to be discovered.
“Through the Best of British Fund, we’re proud to back the communities who keep these traditions alive and help them grow their visitor offering in a sustainable way.
“By attracting more guests, we can ensure tourism continues to support local jobs, independent businesses and the families at the heart of these destinations. This investment is about shining a spotlight on the people and places that make Britain unique — and helping more travellers experience that authenticity for themselves.”