Another week and sadly another closure for a Manchester business has been announced. Popular, family-run Failsworth bakery, Robinsons, which has been serving the people of Manchester since 1864, has today revealed that it will soon close its doors.
A Failsworth institution and home of some of the best Manchester tarts, Robinsons had put the business up for sale earlier this year, however this is no longer possible and will close its doors on December 16. In an announcement, Grace Robinson, who with her sister Emma were the sixth generation of Robinsons to have run the bakery, said the family had failed to secure a buyer.
Grace Robinson also cited “the ever-increasing cost of energy, utilities, and never-ending spiralling cost of ingredients” as further reasons why the bakery situated on Ashton Road East will close. Announcing the news on social media, the post said: “It is with great sadness I am writing this to inform you as of 16th December 2023 Robinsons Artisan Family Bakery will be closing its doors.”
The post continued: “We put the business up for sale earlier this year. This was due to several factors, but the overwhelming factors were the economic crisis and the ever-increasing cost of energy, utilities, and never-ending spiralling cost of ingredients. Sadly, as of now, we have not been able to sell the business, therefore we have had to make this very difficult decision. We will open for the last time on December 16th.
“Established in 1864 and passed down through six generations, I feel extremely grateful to have had the past 23 years’ experience being taught to be a baker and a business owner by my grandad Arthur, and my dad David. As a kid it was all I ever wanted to do, and to this day I still love being a baker, it really is my passion.”
Robinsons bakery has nearly been running for 160 years however it will close its doors before it reaches the milestone. According to the owners, the Failsworth establishment has remained in business through “two world wars, two recessions, a Great Depression, covid, multiple supermarket and fast food chains opening closer and closer and many more obstacles”, but “unfortunately, the struggles of 2023 have proved to just be too much.”
Until December 16, the shop will continue to have its shelves stocked for customers with plenty of baked goods including fresh sourdough loaves, Manchester tarts, cream cakes, pasties and more.
Robinsons Artisan Family Bakery can be found at 69/71 Ashton Rd East, Failsworth, M35 9PW.