A bakery in Dunbar, East Lothian is being praised as a prototype for other Scottish towns to look to in an effort to revive their high streets.

The Bakery in Dunbar opened its doors after 300 locals raised almost £40,000 by selling community shares. The premises had been lying vacant since the Smith family who owned the bakery closed its doors in 2008 after the owner retired.

Plans to revive the bakery were put forward by local voluntary and community groups who thought their town centre was needing regenerated as a matter of urgency. The not for profit business was founded as an industrial and provident society in June 2009 and later was successful in gaining £53,000 through the Scottish Rural Development Programme and £10,000 from the National Lottery. They also secured finance from the Co-operative Loan Fund to set up shop at a former newsagent premises and to purchase brand new professional baking equipment.

The bakery will also provide training and employment opportunities for locals, developing apprenticeships and support to local schools. Any profit will be reinvested back into the community.

A management committee are in charge of the running of the business, members including local entrepreneurs and experts in the fields of finance, marketing, communications and community development. They hope the bakery will be making a profit within 3 years, and shareholders will then be offered the chance to withdraw capital.

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of Scottish Business in the Community and chairwoman of the management committee said "Community-based enterprises can be an important driver of growth in today's difficult economic climate. We hope the success of this enterprise will be an inspiration for other communities to launch similar initiatives."