Popular bakery chain to close ALL sites for good in just days as owner admits ‘it’s impossible to recover’
A POPULAR bakery chain is closing down all of its sites for good in just days.
Loaf MCR will serve its last customers on April 30, with owner Aiden Ryan admitting it suffered financial set backs which were “impossible to recover from”.
The much-loved business has three branches across Greater Manchester and was originally created during the Covid pandemic to raise money for the NHS.
The concept was born out of Aiden and his partner making loaf cakes and topping them with their favourite treats, including Custard Creams, Jammie Dodgers, Biscoff Biscuits and pink wafers.
They started off in a shipping container on Pollard Yard in Ancoats.
But the product – alongside their brioche and croissant loaves, sandwiches, bagels and toasties, quickly became a hit.
Aiden was soon supplying cafes across the city as well as major retailers, including Ezra & Grill, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.
The baker and former shop manager then open his own cafe at Affinity Living Riverview in Salford in 2022.
Another spot soon followed on Oxford Road, and then a concession stand at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre.
Announcing the closure today on social media, Aiden said he’d made the “incredibly tough decision” to close down.
Full statement on Loaf MCR closure
Loaf MCR founder Aiden Ryan said in a social media statement on April 8: “I’ve made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR.
“Loaf started in 2020 as a small lockdown idea to raise money for our NHS.
“From baking in a shipping container at Pollard Yard to cafés in Salford and Oxford Road, and even a concession in Selfridges – it grew into something I never could have dreamed of.
“It was fun, bold, unapologetically pink – and full of heart. But behind the scenes, it’s been a really hard year. And I want to be honest about that.
“We were relying on funding that fell through at the last minute – funding that was essential to keeping Loaf sustainable.
“At the same time, we were hit with severely delayed payments and invoices, ever rising costs, and mounting arrears.
“A supplier also took thousands from our account without permission, triggering a financial domino effect that was almost impossible to recover from.
“The cashflow challenges starting May last year meant there were delays in paying important bills, including tips, pension contributions – something I never imagined happening, and something I’ve carried with a huge amount of sadness and guilt.
“These are people who gave so much of themselves to Loaf, and not being able to give them what they were owed on time was one of the hardest parts of all this.
“On top of that, I was facing personal challenges too – and eventually, the pressure became too much.
“I experienced a full mental break. I couldn’t function. And when your business depends on you being “on” 24/7, everything starts to fall apart fast.
“I’m not sharing all this for sympathy, I’m sharing it because I think it’s important to be honest about what running a business really looks like.
“It’s not just wins and Instagrammable moments, sometimes it’s stress, silence, self-doubt, and sacrifice.
“Still, I’m proud. Proud of what Loaf became. Proud of the joy we spread. And proud of myself – not just for building something, but for knowing when to stop and look after myself.
“To my amazing team – you were the heart of Loaf. Your talent, energy and loyalty meant everything to me, and I’ll never forget it.
“To our suppliers, creatives and partners – thank you for the belief, the collaboration, and the shared vision.
“To our customers – thank you for every slice bought, every kind word, every post shared. You kept us going.
“To my friends and family – thank you for lifting me up through it all.
“Our final day of trading will be 30th April. If you fancy one more mini loaf cake, or just want to pop in for a goodbye, we’d love to see you before then.
“As for what’s next… I’m not sure yet. Right now I just know we need rest.
“Time to process, heal, and breathe. Maybe Loaf will come back in a new way one day – but for now, it’s time to close this chapter.
“Thank you for being part of our story. I’ll carry it with me, always. Lots of loaf, Aiden.”
BAKERY GIANT CLOSES STORE
The sad news about Loaf MCR comes after Greggs closed one of its 2,600 stores on March 31.
The closure of the branch on Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, meant staff were relocated to nearby sites.
Shoppers’ next nearest branch is now in Station Square just over a mile away.
The Cambridge store is not the first Greggs branch to shut this year.
A location in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, closed for good in January.
A Greggs shop on Foleshill Road, Coventry, shut its doors for the final time at the start of the year.
Despite these store closures the bakery chain is still eyeing up major expansion plans.
Meanwhile, a beloved family run bakery abruptly ceased trading, laying the blame on price increases.
Last month, Butter Wouldn’t Melt in Warrington, Cheshire told sweet-toothed fans that it will not be renewing its lease.
For years, the eatery has been serving up tasty cakes, brunches and lunches.
But the owners have devastated fans with a post uploaded to Instagram.
However, the bakery will still be taking online orders and urged locals to stay tuned for any future updates.
The unit was listed on Zoopla for £16,000 per annum.