Doughnut shops close as firm switches focus

The firm's Nantwich store closed in 2023

A doughnut company has announced it is closing five of its stores and rebranding.

Planet Doughnut bosses said business has never been brisker for its bakery arm – making more than 10,000 doughnuts daily – but that its high street shops have been struggling.

Managing director Rob Jones said in a statement: “Despite our best efforts and continued support, one of our franchise partners has made the tough decision to close all four of their Planet Doughnut stores.”

The branches affected are in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire as well as Warrington and Widnes in Cheshire and St Helens in Merseyside.

Meanwhile, stores in Shrewsbury, Telford and Chester will be rebranded Dipp’d, the company announced.

“Planet Doughnut Bakery will continue to supply all three Dipp'd stores with our doughnuts," Mr Jones said.

In March, the company’s founder Duncan McGregor announced the Lichfield shop would also close.

Its Nantwich store also closed last year, less than two years since it opened in September 2021.

"We sympathise with our franchisees as trading on the high street has been difficult in recent years," Mr Jones added.

Major wholesalers

Despite closing some of its retail shops, he said the firm’s products were now more readily available across the UK than ever before.

“Planet Doughnut Bakery now supplies a long list of stockists from farm shops to garden centres, pub chains, venues and the country's largest sporting stadiums,” he said.

“We continue to supply most major wholesalers, meaning that we can deliver to every corner of the UK.”