Lancashire-based bakery chain Waterfields is set to re-open seven Oddie’s shops following their closure earlier this year.
After 120 years in business, fourth generation family-run bakery W.H. Oddies Ltd closed all 13 of its shops and its central bakery in Nelson in mid-January with the bakery assets at the Nelson site sent to auction earlier this month.
The business faced “significant hardships” in recent years with the economic slowdown having a “profound” impact on its ability to operate at the levels it was used to. Despite measures including range rationalisation and a reduction in staffing levels, the Oddie family decided to put the business up for sale but withdrawal by a prospective buyer left it with “no choice” but to close.
Seven of the closed shops are now set to reopen. They are: Leeds Road (Nelson), Market Street (Colne), and in Burnley at St James Street, Coal Clough Lane, Padham Road, Brownside Road, and The Mall.
Each shop will continue trading under the Oddie’s name and all staff will remain in place. The bakeries will now operate separately from the original Oddie family, but Waterfields said it is working closely with director Lara Oddie to preserve the ‘longstanding reputation for friendly service and beloved baked goods’.
“We aim to have all stores open by early April, pending the completion of legal agreements, with St James Street in Burnley being the first scheduled to re-open on March 11, 2025,” said a spokesperson for the deal.
Waterfields was established in Leigh in 1926 and now has 37 locations across the north west of England serving up a selection of bread, savouries, cakes, and more.
The deal will bring the “best of both bakeries together” with some of Waterfields’ bestselling items, such as savouries and cream cakes, to be added to the Oddie’s menu. The items will be made at Waterfields’ central bakery in Leigh with the exception of sandwiches which will continue to be made in the shops as usual.
“Our priority is keeping these local bakeries alive and thriving. Independent bakeries are the home champions of proper fresh bakes and we understand how important Oddie’s is to the community,” said Scott Davies of Waterfields. “Our commitment is to maintain Oddies’ bakeries in the local community, while also introducing some of Waterfields’ favourite savouries and cream cakes that we think customers will love. We’re excited to bring the best of both bakeries together.”
The new year is taking its toll on the bakery market with several businesses making the difficult decision to shut up shop. The Crusty Cob, which operated nine shops across Devon and Somerset, ceased trading last week while Grange Bakery in Cumbria closed all four of its shops due to the ‘current economic climate’. Crêpeaffaire, meanwhile, was rescued from administration in a pre-pack deal for £149k.
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