Bakery chain 'superior to Greggs' hints at high street return after closing all shops

Dubbed ‘better than Greggs’ by loyal customers, family-run bakery Oddie’s first opened more than a century ago in 1905.

Despite surviving Covid, the company was crippled by soaring energy costs and dwindling footfall, leaving it with no option but to shutter.

Upon closing, Oddie’s left a note for customers in its shop windows which read: ‘The last day to stock up will be Saturday January 11. After 120 years we are closing our doors. We have loved being part of your lives.’

But it seems all hope is not lost for fans of the bakery as its owner and managing director, Lara Oddie, revealed she’s hopeful seven of the 13 Lancashire locations will be able to open back up.

Hinting that a potential buyer could rescue the firm, Lara commented: ‘I’m still negotiating with interested parties behind the scenes and I’ve got everything crossed that maybe seven of my shops would reopen shortly.

‘If negotiations go well and certain recipes change hands, you might see your particular favourite make a reappearance.’

She also added that the 100 staff that had been let go during the closures were ‘like family’, with a third of them working for the business for more than 20 years.

Oddie’s was a well-loved staple throughout Lancashire, with seven shops in Burnley and two in Nelson, alongside branches in Colne, Foulridge, Padiham and Todmorden.

Gutted shoppers took to Reddit when the chain closed, writing: ‘Very sad, Oddie’s is far superior to Greggs.’

‘I’m sorry to see Oddie’s go too,’ @Dependent-Bet1112 added. ‘End of an era. They will be sorely missed.’

Others also gushed over the bakery’s jam squares which were described as ‘real binge-eating worthy’, as well as local specialties like fisherman’s pasties and pork and pepper rolls.

On Facebook, Lynne Mitchell wrote: ‘Nobody’s bread tastes as good as Oddie’s bread,’ while Christina Marie said: ‘Oh please come back. No one does currant tea cakes and custard pies like Oddie’s.’

It’s not just us regular Joes who might be excited at the prospect of the Oddie’s return either.

In 2005, King Charles visited the company’s headquarters in Nelson to celebrate its 100th anniversary – and if it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us.

Currently, it’s unknown which of the stores will reopen and which will remain closed.