Greater Manchester’s oldest bakery Robinson’s has gone up for sale

The family run Greater Manchester bakery Robinson’s, established in 1864, has gone on the market.

Established 159 years ago in Harpurhey before moving to its Failsworth location in 1959, Robinson’s bakery has lived through two world wars and most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.

But amid rising costs, the owners of Robinson’s have now decided the time has come to put the bakery up for sale.

Run by David Robinson and his family, the bakery has long been the go-to place for baked goods including bread and its famous Manchester tart.

But David, who has worked at the bakery for 53 years, has called time on the business and is ready to hand up his apron and hat to Retire.

His daughter Grace, who works there alongside him, has decided it’s also time for her to pursue other things.

Over the weekend the family posted on their Facebook Page to announce the news which read: “Well the time has come for us put our bakery up for sale. As crazy as this is, as we are busier than ever, it is the right decision for us as a family.

“Mum and Dad are ready to retire and the chance of a lifetime has come my way.

“Don’t worry, we will be here, doing exactly what we do best, for as long as it takes to find the right new people to guide our fabulous team in to the future and be part of our amazing community here in Failsworth.

“If this is you, or know someone it would be perfect for please get in touch!

“Grace, Emma, Sue and David.”

As reported in the Manchester Evening News, last year the bakery was hit with staggering costs with the sharp rise in energy bills and food ingredient prices.

David told the news outlet at the time the potential hike in the businesses energy bills could be a ‘suicide note’ for the bakery.

He added that ‘serious intervention’ from the government was needed if businesses were to survive the winter amid increasing costs of fuel and food products.

At the time, energy bills for the bakery cost around £18,000 per year but as their energy was up for renewal in October, they were told their bills would increase to around £72,000 — a 400% rise.

However, David was told that of he didn’t sign up to the six-month increase then his bills could potentially go up to a staggering £270,000.

speaking to the M.E.N. David said: “It can’t possibly go on like this, it’s ridiculous. We’re just keeping our fingers crossed and hoping the next Prime Minister and Chancellor will get together and do something to stop the prices going up to these levels, but we’re not holding our breath.

“Liz Truss was asked a question about this at one of these hustings recently where she said she would reduce corporation tax to help business. But I’ve never heard such nonsense as we and countless others don’t make that kind of profit in the first place.

“Others, including many pubs, are suggesting reducing VAT which could help them but it wouldn’t help us as we only do food and we reclaim that VAT anyway. We can take bills going up a reasonable amount but this is totally unreasonable.

“As soon as these increases hit all hell is going to break loose for businesses, they [government] have got to do something about it. I’ve had sleepless nights since I got these letters to be honest and the only advice I’ve been given is to hang fire for three or four weeks to see what happens.

“But I can’t sign up to this, it would be a suicide note for the business. We couldn’t afford £72,000 let alone £270,000, we’ve got 22 staff to look after too.”

A Government spokesperson said: “No national government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy, but we will continue to support business in navigating the months ahead.

“This includes doubling our support for high energy usage businesses, reducing employer national insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance, slashing fuel duty, introducing a 50% business rates relief and putting the brakes on bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier – worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.”