Bakery which shut after 120 years set to reopen

A family-run bakery chain which closed down after 120 years in business is set to reopen seven shops after another bakery stepped in to save the "cherished" sites.

Oddie's, which was based in Nelson, Lancashire, but had branches across the east of the county, was established in 1905 and was run by the same family.

It shut its doors in January with a loss of 100 jobs.

Waterfields bakers, founded in Leigh, Greater Manchester, in 1926, said it had secured the future of Oddie's at Nelson and Colne, and five shops in Burnley and they are expected to begin trading soon.

It said each store would continue to trade under the Oddie's name and all staff would remain in place.

Waterfields said the rescue deal had safeguarded a "cherished part" of east Lancashire's local heritage.

The firm said it was aiming for all seven shops to reopen by early next month.

It said it was working closely with director Lara Oddie to preserve Oddie's reputation for friendly service and beloved baked goods "to uphold a legacy that spans more than a century".

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."

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