A Derbyshire-based craft bakery business has closed one of its cafés, which has been open for more than 100 years.

The firm, which has been trading since 1826, has handed over the keys to one of its two cafés located on Market Place in Ashbourne to clothing retailer Fat Face. The outlet, which is situated nearby its bakery just off Union Street, has been run by the company since 1908, . 

Simon Spencer, co-owner of Spencers the Baker, told British Baker: "The reason the café closed was due to a combination of reasons. Obviously, the industry is facing challenging times, but from our point of view we have made a commercial decision to lease the retail side of the premises out but continue with the wholesale bakery. We were approached by a third party asking whether we would lease the premises to them, which we did."

He added that the company’s wholesale division is "challenging", particularly with wheat price increases, but felt the shop closure could lead to a positive impact on this side of the business.

As a result of the move, Spencer is looking to place two members of staff, one part-time and one full-time, in new roles.

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