A hundred jobs lost as bakery closes

Crusty Cobb had eight shops

More than a hundred people have lost their jobs after a family-run Exeter bakery closed suddenly on Tuesday.
 
The Crusty Cobb – which has eight shops in the city and East Devon – had been in the Tubbs family for four generations.
 
But after 55 years of baking, as well as running the shops, some of which also contained cafes, the shutters have come down.
 
They’ve thanked their customers and staff – some have worked for the firm for decades – but say a mix of changes in bakery manufacturing, fewer customers on the high street and higher costs have contributed to the decision to shut.

On a notice posted on their outlets, and on Facebook, Neil, Howard and Trudy Tubbs said: "The current state of bakery manufacturing, a shrinking customer base in the high street, inflation, energy costs along with wage and National Insurance increases have all contributed to this decision. Moreover, our industry has been in a constant downturn, making it increasingly difficult to sustain our business.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our workforce of over one hundred employees for their tireless effort and work. Many have been with us for over 30 years, and we are very grateful for their loyalty and commitment to our company. We could not have traded for this long without their
hard work and dedication.

"We would also like to express our appreciation to our customers for their loyalty and support over the years. While we are saddened by the closure of The Crusty Cob, we are grateful for the memories, relationships, and experiences we have gained throughout the years. We will cherish these.