Thurso bakery to stop selling bread rolls after £350k investment to boost business
Thurso’s Reids Bakery is to stop trading in morning goods such as bread rolls and pies, as it “concentrates on the strengths of the business” with a £350,000 investment in shortbread and biscuit equipment.
With a “heavy heart” Reids Bakery said it would no longer be making bread rolls, pastries, pies, pancakes or scones as of Friday, May 24.
The bakery will now trade in shortbread, oatcakes, biscuits and loaf cakes, as they have found these products to be one of their strengths.
The Thurso institution, which was founded 1966, has now invested a large sum of money into its new strategy.
Gary Reid, who has been running the bakery for over 20 years, said: “We just decided to streamline it. It’s a big moment for us, we’re letting go of a large chunk of our business so we can grow in other areas.
“We have had quite a few upset customers, which has been the toughest part for me – but I don’t think much will change. We need the floorspace and we need to create more room.
“I do feel sad about it because we’ve been making these products for 58 years… but we have to concentrate on the strengths of the business.”
Mr Reid added: “We have invested over £350,000 in new machinery, including an eight-rack oven that will increase our capability by 200 per cent. We now supply every Tesco in Scotland, and we also supply Virgin Atlantic.
“I’m very grateful for everyone in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross who have helped us get to where we are today. Without them, there would be no Reid’s Bakery.”