AWARD-WINNING Saltcoats pie shop The Kandy Bar has been praised after receiving more than 500 votes in the craft baker of the year finals.

The 2020 search for the Scottish Baker of Year might have been postponed but over 14,000 bakery customers in Scotland still voted for their favourite bakers.

The Kandy Bar is now officially one of the best Craft Bakers in Scotland, having received over 500 votes from its customers when it made the finals.

Stephen McAllister of The Kandy Bar said: “After such a tough few months, it is beyond wonderful to know that so many of our customers rate us their favourite Craft Bakery. We are really touched so thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for us and we are looking forward to continuing to serve our community with freshly baked, quality produce for many more years to come.”

Alasdair Smith of Scottish Bakers said: “We are delighted to have been able to give the public a say in 2020 with our new Customer Choice awards. The Kandy Bar is a worthy finalist in the Customer Choice Craft Bakery of the year award

We previously reported how the Kandy Bar continued to provide residents with their iconic freshly baked goods, with customers queuing up and maintaining safe social distancing in line with government guidelines.

The bakery said: “I’d like to thank you all for supporting your local family bakers throughout this pandemic. We are all working extremely hard during this challenging time to provide you with freshly baked goods Monday to Saturday.

“During these worrying times it doesn’t take much effort to smile, say hi or just give someone a friendly wave. We’re all in this together and we are all having up moments and down moments.”