Hampshire woman runs self-serve bakery cupboard in garden

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A mum from Popley has started a self-serve bakery business in her back garden.

Alina Marc, 31, runs Alipax Artisan Bakery, where she operates with an honesty box in her back garden.

The honesty box faces out to a pathway running behind Buckfast Close and allows customers to buy her bread, cakes, brownies, and cookies via a QR code or cash, without her being there.

Alina said: "It’s been going really well. People love it, more and more people come every single time.

"People are amazing, having all the support has been so unbelievable."

Alina at the honesty box (Image: Newsquest)

She decided to open the bakery as it would allow her to work from home while caring for her young children.

The honesty box, which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, was built by her husband and operates with a doorbell mechanism, where customers ring the bell so Alina can open the door.

She stocks over 200 individually wrapped baked goods and over 20 sourdough loaves, which are baked from a homemade sourdough starter that she made from scratch.

At the honesty box (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "I always loved baking, especially making bread. We haven’t bought bread in seven or eight years.

"Everybody loves the sourdough. I have to make more and more every time."

After starting the business in November 2025, she faced issues at first with people repeatedly stealing items without paying, prompting her to close the box.

Treats inside the honesty box (Image: Newsquest)

After being encouraged by her customers, she reopened in March with a new security system, allowing her to monitor and unlock the cupboard remotely.

Her business has made life ‘so busy’, as she bakes in the evening when her children are asleep and she also provides bread for a shop in Yateley.

She said: "I can’t believe I am doing this. I have finally found something I am good at."

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