Staff and customers have been given fresh hope over the future of a beloved Lancashire bakery chain which closed its doors last weekend after 120 years.
Oddie’s, was based in Nelson, was founded in 1905 and had 13 branches across the east of the county, employing more than 100 staff. However it was forced to shut up shop on January 11 after facing significant hardships since the Covid pandemic and the “economic slowdown”
Company bosses had sought a rescue deal late last year to save the firm, however the potential sale “fell through after extensive negotiations”. The closure left customers ‘devastated’ with many taking to social media to voice their shock and sadness.
In a statement at the end of last week, Oddie’s said: “Over recent years and compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic the business has faced significant hardships. Economic slowdown has had a profound impact on the business’ ability to operate at levels we were accustomed to.
“The company reacted through a combination of centre shop closures, product range rationalisation, and reducing staffing levels to the bare minimum. The business was beginning to see the shoots of recovery.
“Like all businesses, cost pressures have continued to escalate, not least through the energy crisis which has depleted much of the company’s reserves. This has put a heavy strain on the company’s finances and ultimately the cost to reinvest and recover.”
However, in an update this week the company said: “Whilst the bakeries are now closed, we’re working incredibly hard behind the scenes to negotiate with interested parties, and hope to come to a resolution in the coming weeks.”
Accounting and advisory firm Azets and Brabners Solicitors have been advising the fourth-generation family bakery.
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