Stockport residents have been left 'heartbroken' after a beloved family bakery announced its closure.
Hobson's, in Reddish, was started in the June of 1929, the day after founders Harry and Marion Hobson were married. Now run by grandson Martin, rising costs have left them struggling to stay afloat.
The bakery's Gorton Road home is set to be sold in September, bringing an end to nearly a century of serving the Stockport community. As news of the closure broke, residents were quick to share fond memories of the business many called part of their childhood.
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"Absolutely breaks my heart to read this," Brenda said in a Facebook comment. "Hobson's has been around all my life, and their products have been second to none.
"To think such a shining example to small family businesses now has to close because of this country's bloody awful economic mess just makes me want to cry.... thanks to you all for providing us for many years with your luscious lemon buns and gigantic cream cakes - Reddish will never be the same!"
Other shared memories of grabbing one of Hobson's delicious treats after a swim, while others said they would stop in for a snack on the way back from school.
"Across from the baths and Penny hovis after a swim. Really happy memories," Ron Grimsditch commented.
And some even shared how Hobson's had played a role in one of the most important days of their lives. Karen Scotchford recalled how Hobson's made her wedding cake in February 1987, while Linda Ashton said the bakery had also made her wedding cake.
Many said they were 'shocked' and 'saddened' by the closure of the bakery, which started as a general store nearly a century ago.
But owner Martin Hobson said the business had struggled to recover from the pandemic, as well as cope with rising costs since.
“We all know how challenging it is for small businesses now,” Martin told the M.E.N. “How long do we carry on? Covid was extremely challenging. I can’t tell you how stressful it was. And it’s taken its toll on me and my sister. It was shockingly bad. Constantly changing rules.
“And we hoped that when Covid was done, everything would be perhaps not be back to normal, but back to getting on. And it’s not. We’re doing fine, but profitability is being stretched, and with inflation, it’s no better. It’s worse. Frying pan into the fire.”
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