Dorset-based chain Bennetts Family Bakers has ceased trading and closed all of its stores after failing to find someone to take over from its aging owners.
The 72-year-old business shut its remaining three sites located in the Winton, Southbourne, and Parkstone areas of Bournemouth and Poole on 5 July. This followed the closing of its three shops in Broadstone, Westbourne, and Wimborne in the months prior.
Bennetts served a daily range of bread, pastries, and traditional cakes to local communities.
Claude Bennett founded the bakery in Paignton, Devon, in 1951 before a family holiday to Poole inspired him to move it to Dorset. Upon his retirement in 1965, the business was transferred to his son Tony and wife Margaret, who grew it up to a peak estate of 12 outlets across the county.
In 1986, the business was commissioned to create a seven-foot-high cake for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York, which was prepared by sons David and Mark under father Tony’s supervision. Both sons became directors of Bennetts Family Bakers with Mark stepping away around 2012 to create his own company, Patisserie Mark Bennett, which currently has five shops in Poole and one in Christchurch.
Mark has been honoured with several accolades from British Baker-run competitions including being crowned Baker of the Year in 2014, winning the Craft Business Award in 2016, the Speciality Bread Product of the Year in 2016, and most recently taking home a gold medal for his Thai Focaccia at Britain’s Best Loaf 2025.
Tony Bennett passed away in 2015, with David continuing to run the family firm. In more recent times, though, he was forced to do so whilst caring for his elderly mother.
“I have tried my hardest to keep the company going in these difficult times, but unfortunately due to mum’s ill health and my retirement, it is no longer viable,” he wrote in a letter seen posted in the window of the closed Winton shop.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your loyal support shown to our company and to our family over the years,” added Bennett.
British Baker has requested confirmation on the number of redundancies as well as what is happening to the bakery’s sites and equipment.
Several craft bakery chains announced closures during the first half of this year, including two in Devon – The Almond Thief and The Crusty Cob – Loaf MCR in Manchester, Grange Bakery in Cumbria, and Oddie’s in Lancashire. However, some of the shops involved have since been acquired by other regional brands.
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