Village says goodbye to a last bakery (From Warrington Guardian)

Village says goodbye to a last bakery

IT was the end of an era in Tarporley this week as the last surviving traditional bakery in the village cleared its premises.

Builders moved into Harrison's Bakery and Confectioner on Monday after the company relocated due to the increasing domination of supermarkets.

Alan Harrison, owner of the bakery, said: "Local bakeries have now all but gone and it is a shame.

"It is the same situation for butchers and other businesses like that because it is very difficult to survive.

"It is an age thing as well, because a lot of younger people weren't around when people regularly used the local baker."

Harrison's Bakery relocated to Winsford around a year ago because it could no longer afford to stay in Tarporley.

It was a symbolic day on Monday as the traditional oven at its previous premises on Forest Road was removed.

Mr Harrison said: "We aren't sure how old the oven is but it was made well over 50 years ago.

"We have really struggled to remove it because it was built so well.

"It is disappointing to leave Tarporley but we couldn't stay because property prices are just too high.

"We are a craft baker and it disappoints me that a lot of people now buy from supermarkets which provide far less quality products.

"It is the end of an era for Tarporley because the local village baker will never return."

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk