Emotional decision to close family-run bakery

The manager of a family-run bakery closing after nearly 70 years said it was a "very emotional decision".

The Burke family has run Central Bakery in Leominster, Herefordshire, since it began, starting with Hannah Lewis's grandfather.

But earlier this month, they said it would close, citing issues ranging from rising costs, effects of the Covid pandemic and ongoing work in the town centre.

"We've had tears, now and again - there's nothing we can really do now," Ms Lewis said.

The announcement of the closure on the bakery's Facebook page drew more than 120 comments, with many calling it sad news for the town.

One user, Debra Mackay, posted that people would "remember Central Bakery for many years to come" and Melissa Caldicott said it was the "best bakery around".

Dozens of people said on Facebook the closure of the bakery was sad news for Leominster

The bakery's coffee shop would close "in a few weeks" followed by the whole bakery at the end of September, the firm said.

Rising energy costs and footfall dropping especially due to the development of High Street and Corn Square were among the reasons for the closure, Ms Lewis said.

"It started off as a really thriving business but years continue and the bakers in the family all retired at certain points," she added.

"One passed away so then we had to hire outside bakers... and it's just the added money, staffing issues - Covid didn't help with all the prices of ingredients going up."

The bakery had "always been in our lives", she explained, and the move to close was "a very emotional decision".

Customer Ben Thomas said the bakery had been "part of my childhood"

One customer, Ben Thomas, said the bakery was "part of my childhood growing up".

"It's sad, we were actually discussing it at the dinner table last night which is why we're here to get some cakes before it closes," he added.

Ms Lewis said she had fond memories of the bakery from her childhood.

"I remember coming in here with my gran when I was really young, sitting down, talking with her friends, they all used to come in for coffee," she said.

"I remember a time when my dad was always working nights and Central was just involved in our lives."