Town bakery set to close

It has shops in Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock which will both close later this year. Owner Clive Whitney said it had been a difficult decision.

He said he was very sorry for the staff, some of whom had worked for the firm for more than 30 years.

"The main reason is that the bakery building itself has had its day," Mr Whitney said. "There was an option to relocate on a smaller scale to supply the shop but we decided against that."

The bakery is in Bank Street, in the heart of High Town, which supplies the company's shops in Bridgnorth High Street and the centre of Much Wenlock.

There used to be another branch in Waterloo Terrace, in Bridgnorth, but that closed in October 2005.

The business was set up by Mr Whitney's grandfather Herbert Whitney in 1922 and is one of the few remaining family-run businesses in Bridgnorth.

Mr Whitney said it was sad to call time on such a well-established business but too much investment was needed to ensure its long-term survival.

"It is a shame but business is business, and shopping trends change," he said.

"Business is not what it used to be on the high street, but everyone knows that.

"The staff were informed last week and it is obviously a bit of a shock for them, and some of them have been here a long time.

"Your first thought is for your staff but there is never a right time to do this. It has not been a five-minute decision, it has been coming for a year or two.

"We have still got a viable business but the investment that would be needed in the bakery would have to be substantial.

"If someone came in with a large investment obviously we would consider carrying on, but at the moment the plan is to close at the end of September."

The news is another blow to Bridgnorth traders, who have seen a number of independent shops close recently because of rising rents and rates.

By Simon Alton