A beloved bakery chain is due to return to the high street after being forced to close all 13 of its UK stores earlier this year.
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 fans of the bakery have had their prayers answered, because the chain has announced it will be reopening seven of its stores.
Five of its seven Burnley shops and one store in both Nelson and Colne are set to open their doors once again in April, although the exact date is unknown.
Owner and managing director, Lara Oddie, had previously revealed she was hopeful some of the 13 Lancashire locations would open back up, thanks to a prospective buyer.
And Waterfields bakers, founded in 1926 in Manchester, has now stepped in to rescue the family-run business.
Scott Davies, of Waterfields, which has a long history of family baking between Leigh, Warrington, and Preston, said: ‘Our priority is keeping these local bakeries alive and thriving.
‘We understand how important Oddies is to the community.’
Oddie’s is a well-loved staple throughout Lancashire, and previously had seven shops in Burnley and two in Nelson, alongside branches in Colne, Foulridge, Padiham and Todmorden.
The closures had meant 100 staff were let go, despite them being ‘like family’ – with a third of them working for the business for more than 20 years.
Gutted shoppers took to Reddit when the chain shut, 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.
Scott Davies, of Waterfields, said the Oddie’s brand was ‘cherished’ by locals, adding: ‘Our priority is keeping these local bakeries alive and thriving. We understand how important Oddies is to the community.’
This article was first published on February 27, 2025.
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