The Crusty Cob has ceased trading and closed of all nine of its bakery shops across Devon and Somerset with over 100 staff members made redundant.
A media statement from the Exeter-based business said “after 55 years of operations and four generations of the Tubbs family, the three directors have made the difficult decision to close our doors”.
Among the reasons listed that had contributed to the closure were a shrinking high street customer base, inflation, energy costs, and wage and National Insurance increases. “Moreover, our industry has been in a constant downturn, making it increasingly difficult to sustain our business,” it added.
Joint director Neil Tubbs told British Baker that The Crusty Cob had been on the market for two years. “We found a buyer 10 months ago, but couldn’t get the deal over the line,” Tubbs revealed.
The Crusty Cob was founded in 1969 when Michael and Patricia Tubbs purchased an existing bakery in Ottery St Mary in Devon. Being skilled bakers and confectioners, the fathers of both owners ended up working there.
After 20 years of growth, adding new shops and supplying wholesale to local traders and catering establishments, bakery manufacturing was moved to a site at Exeter Airport Business Park with the Ottery bakehouse converted into residential dwellings.
The business was incorporated into a limited company in 2002 and was passed down to Michael and Patricia’s three children – Neil, Howard, and Trudy – who expanded with more retail shops. In the end, it had locations in Exmouth, Exter, Tiverton, Burnham on Sea, Honiton, Budleigh Salterton, and back in Ottery St Mary (down the road from the original shop), from which it sold a daily range that included bread, rolls, pastries, sandwiches, buns and cakes.
Neil’s daughter Jessica was also part of the workforce, making her a fourth-generation Tubbs in the baking trade. At time of closure, The Crusty Cob employed a total of 90 shop staff across its estate, eight bakers at its production site, and four delivery drivers.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our workforce of over one hundred employees for their tireless effort and work,” stated the company. “Many have been with us for over 30 years, and we are very grateful for their loyalty and commitment to our company. We could not have traded for this long without their hard work and dedication.”
While noting that it was early days yet, Neil Tubbs said around 20% of staff had already found new jobs. The liquidation process had only just begun, he added, and so he didn’t know what would happen to the shops but confirmed that bakery assets would be sold off.
This year has already seen another bakery chain with over 100 staff stop trading due to ‘significant hardships’ and economic slowdown. Lancashire-based Oddie’s failed to find a buyer in time, forcing it to close all 13 shops, and has since proceeded to auction off its assets. More recently, Grange Bakery shuttered its fours shops in Cumbria due to the ‘current economic climate’.
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