An iconic bakery brand is facing permanent closure, marking the end of its century-long legacy. Rathbones Bakery, established in 1893, will disappear from supermarket shelves for good.
Closure of Rathbones Bakery
Morrisons has announced the permanent shutdown of its Rathbones Bakery site located in Wakefield. This decision jeopardizes 115 jobs at the facility. It represents the second closure attempt for the brand in two years.
Financial Struggles
Despite restructuring efforts, including a shift in focus from white bread to specialty products like pita, crumpets, and pancakes, the bakery continued to experience financial losses. In November 2024, the site narrowly escaped closure but was ultimately unable to recover.
- 270 staff members opted for voluntary redundancy during the last restructuring.
- The bakery aimed to break even by 2027, according to industry estimates.
Statement from Morrisons
A spokesperson for Morrisons expressed regret over the decision. “We have thoroughly reviewed all alternatives,” they stated. “Sadly, we can no longer see a path to breakeven.” The spokesperson also emphasized the company’s commitment to assist employees affected by the closure.
Future of the Facility
Morrisons has not yet determined the future of the 28,000 square foot bakery facility. However, it confirmed that its in-store bakeries will remain unaffected by the Rathbones closure.
Rathbones Bakery was sold to Morrisons in 2005 to prevent it from entering administration. The closure signifies a significant loss in a brand that has been a staple in the baking industry for over a century.
