Bowla is a father-daughter start-up dedicated to promoting an innovative bread product. The Bowla project originated in 2007, following an accidental discovery involving a second-hand home bread-making machine purchased from a charity shop in Morecambe, Lancashire. The machine, missing its instructions, was used during a contract at a power station. During the baking process, the bread rose so much that it touched the lid of the machine. Unable to stop the cycle, the resulting loaf mushroomed over the edges, and when turned upside down, it resembled a top hat.

This unusual outcome intrigued colleagues, especially after a humorous story was shared that the loaf was a Welsh traditional “top hat” bread. Inspired by the curiosity and interest, efforts began to create a smaller, similarly shaped loaf. From this, the name “Bowla™” – “A Bowl with A Roll™” – was conceived to describe the bowler-hat-shaped bread.

After two years of trial and error with unsuccessful designs, the project was shelved in 2010. It was revisited in 2011, and after numerous prototypes and five years of development, a basic prototype was successfully created. The company was officially established in November 2016, following the creation of a working prototype. Over the next two years, the design was refined, leading to the development of three aluminium moulds in varying sizes, suitable for large commercial, small commercial, and domestic ovens.

Hannah, the founder’s daughter, joined the project in late 2020, with the goal of advancing the business and bringing the product to market. By early 2023, the team was ready to pilot their product through a micro bakery setup in Swansea Indoor Market.

In the coming months, Bowla plans to host a series of pop-up stands at local events around Swansea, including Swansea University. Updates on these events can be found on Instagram (@bowla_ltd) and Facebook (bowla_ltd).