End of era as bakery is forced out

Decoration business goes on
IT’S the end of an era for a family bakery that has closed its doors for the final time after 44 years of trading.

But the Harrops of Failsworth legacy will continue: the shop’s cake-decorating arm, the Upper Cake Dec, remains open.

Jonathan Harrop, who runs the Dunkerley Avenue business, described the decision to close the bakery side on Saturday, with the loss of five jobs, as heartbreaking.

The 27-year-old said: “It was a decision that we did not take lightly, especially because Harrops has been part of Failsworth for so long and it brings to an end four generations of our family’s baking history.

“But the credit crunch, competition from supermarkets and the soaring cost of flour and gas has left us with no option.

“The Upper Cake Dec, however, has continued to thrive, which is why we have decided to concentrate our efforts on expanding that side of the business.”

Harrops of Failsworth was opened by Rodney and Eileen Harrop in 1967 after they met while working at a bakery in Uppermill.

Eileen was a cake decorator and Rodney was a baker, following in the footsteps of his great uncle Jim and his father Herbert.

Over the years, the couple’s sons, Ian and Jonathan, and daughter-in-laws, Stephanie and Kate, joined the business.

This meant Eileen and Rodney could semi-retire as Ian and Jonathan took over baking with Stephanie and Kate running the Upper Cake Dec.

In 2009, Ian (40) and Stephanie moved to Canada and later the same year Rodney had a stroke, leaving him disabled.

As a result, Eileen and Rodney retired to Rhyl and Jonathan and Kate, who have three children, took over running the shop.

Unfortunately trade to the bakery has dwindled, which the family believes is due to the recession, the opening of a near-by supermarket and a change in people’s shopping habits. It has also been hit by flour prices, which have more than doubled over the past year, and the soaring cost of gas.

Rodney (65) said: “When we opened more than four decades ago, people shopped locally at independent businesses. But now people prefer to get all their groceries at the supermarket.

“We always prided ourselves on our family recipes, our quality bakery products and that we used locally sourced ingredients and employed local people. It is very upsetting that we had to close after all the years of hard work.”

Eileen (64), who is now Rodney’s full-time carer, added: “We would like to thank all our loyal customers for their business over the years. They are not just customers to us, but our friends.”

Kate (26) said: “The Upper Cake Dec, above the shop, has increased in popularity with a big demand for unique celebration cakes that cannot be bought in supermarkets.

“We are now concentrating on expanding this side of the business.

“We have a Facebook page and have just launched a website which we are hoping will bring in trade from all over Manchester.

“We also want to supply other shops and we are planning on extending the Upper Cake Dec by moving into the former bakery shop downstairs.”