MASTER baker Falko is relocating from Gullane to Haddington after becoming the first business to sign up to a new development in the heart of the town.

The German pastry chef, who has run a successful cafe and bakery business from Gullane for more than a decade, will take over the ground floor of the George Court development, which has been created at the former George Hotel on Haddington High Street.

The 1,700 sq ft premises is currently being adapted to accommodate Falko’s business, including creating a new area for the bakery.

The move by the successful business is being hailed as a major coup for the George Court development, which was launched by Jim Wilkie, Zest Capital Management, earlier this year.

Mr Wilkie took over the 16th-century B-listed hotel building, after it had lain empty for several years.

He said: “Falko Konditormeister is a well-known brand across East Lothian and in Edinburgh and we’re delighted Falko is taking up the ground floor space in our George Court development.

“It’s exactly the type of business we envisaged attracting to the town when we began the project of redeveloping the former George Hotel.”

The deal is still in the early stages but Iain Mercer, from property management firm IME, which is overseeing the development, confirmed the new client’s identity.

He said: “We can confirm rumours which have been circulating in both Gullane and Haddington for some time now regarding Falko Konditormeister. While full details of the deal are not being released, Falko has committed to a ‘long-term’ agreement to relocate from Gullane to 1 George Court, Haddington, this summer.”

The former hotel has undergone extensive redevelopment both externally and internally and Mr Mercer said there were good levels of interest in the remaining unit, the former ballroom, which could be a retail or gallery space. He said: “Jim and his team deserve immense credit for helping re-generate this area while also introducing a new, high-profile businesses to the local economy.”

The development includes 15 one and two-bedroom flats due to be marketed this summer.