OWNERS behind a long-standing family bakery have ‘no other choice’ but to close due to rising bills and the upcoming arrival of Starbucks and Greggs.

Lesley’s Home Bakery in Cavendish Street, Ulverston will be shutting its doors for the final time today after two decades of trade.

Lesley Smith set up the business 23 years ago, cementing the bakery as a firm favourite among customers far and wide.

Famed for its meat and potato pie, the bakery was ‘heaving’ when Lesley’s daughter-in-law Joanne joined the team in 2000.

However, since 2019 the shop has struggled with the rising cost of living, lack of passing trade, the Covid pandemic and the upcoming arrival of two major takeaway chains in the town.

Joanne, who worked at Co-op for ten years before joining the business, said: “It was so busy when I first joined, it was heaving some days. We used to supply a few businesses and other shops. During Covid time, we were allowed to open but because there wasn’t much passing trade, we did struggle.

“Covid hit us quite badly. We deteriorated from then. Since 2019, business has been slowing down. We reduced hours to three days a week which we hoped would help.

“But the upcoming arrival of drive-thru Greggs and Starbucks will have a huge effect on us, We can’t fight anymore. Greggs is another bakery and customers can just drive through the gate when they want. When plans were announced for Greggs and Starbucks, we did think this would be a big hit for the business.

“Another part of it has been due to traffic wardens. Because we’re on a tight street, there’s only parking on side of the street which does affect business.

“I tried to apply for parking permits to allow customers ten minutes, but it was rejected.

“The rising cost of bills as well has had a big effect. It’s an accumulation of everything.

Joanne said it has been a ‘hard decision’ to close – but hopes Lesley’s will continue in some capacity in the future.

She said: “It was a very hard decision to close. We’re behind on a few bills, the rent has been put up on the shop, bills have gone up – we have no other choice.

“I am a people person and will miss all our lovely customers. Everybody that has worked here is family – my mum and sister work here and it was horrible having to tell them they don’t have a job anymore.

“It’s been very emotional. People have been bringing in bouquets of flowers. People have been coming from Millom to come and get their pies.

“I’m never saying never with the business, it’ll definitely be the meat and potato pies we continue if we do carry on in another way because they’re our most popular order.

“It’s horrible we all have to find new jobs now. I thought we’d be in the family business forever.

“It’s not the right decision – it’s the only decision. We wouldn’t have shut if we didn’t have to.”