Neil, Howard and Trudy Tubbs made the announcement on 4 March through a post on social media which confirmed that The Crusty Cob would cease to operate with immediate effect.
The three directors of the family-owned business pointed to several factors which played into their decision, including the current state of bakery manufacturing, a shrinking customer base, inflation, energy costs, wage and National Insurance increases, and a “constant downturn” which has made sustaining the business “increasingly difficult”.
The more than 100 people employed by the bakery will lose their jobs, with the directors taking the time to thank everyone that has worked for the business for their “tireless effort and work”.
“Many have been with us for over 30 years, and we are grateful for their loyalty and commitment to our company,” their statement said.
“We could not have traded for this long without their hard work and dedication. We would also like to express our appreciation to our customers for their loyalty and support over the years.”
The Crusty Cob operated nine high street bakery shops while also supplying several local stores and delivering wholesale items to local foodservice outlets.
Founded in 1969, four generations of the Tubbs family worked for the bakery throughout its existence, specialising in products such as bread, rolls, cakes, pastries, pasties and sandwiches, all of which were hand-made from scratch.
“While we are saddened by the closure of The Crusty Cob, we are grateful for the memories, relationships, and experiences we have gained throughout the years,” the directors added.
“We will cherish these. Thank you to everyone who has bene part of our journey.”
In related news, Grange Bakery in Cumbria announced the closure of its four sites last month, citing an economic climate that has been “very difficult for small independent businesses like ours”.
