Bakery takes decision to close shops

It was revealed this week that Jeffers Home Bakery, which was first established in 1937, has notified staff in its Dunmurry, Finaghy and Longstone Street branches that it will be closing its doors.

It is understood that the bakery’s branches in Lisburn and Belfast city centres, as well as the Grand Street branch, will remain open.

Customers, particularly in Dunmurry, have expressed regret that the local shop will be closing, saying that it will adversely impact on other small businesses in the area.

However, owner Andrew Jeffers said the three branches had not been making money for some time and the difficult decision had to be taken to enable the company to focus on more profitable and expanding areas of the business.

“We are closing them as they are losing us money and had been for quite some time,” explained Andrew.

“We realised there was no point in putting money into them when there are other parts of the business that are doing very well and are expanding.”

He said it was “regrettable” that this difficult decision had to be made but he said he was “very positive” about the business, which was continuing to grow, with the Belfast shop in line for a major revamp.

“For the business to grow we had to make difficult decisions,” he continued. “We have a good reputation and we are continuing to expand.

“Dunmurry was the second premises we had but unfortunately sentiment can’t come into it. Whenever you are in business you can’t base decisions on your heart, you have to listen to your head. It is regrettable but we can’t dwell on it.”

Mr Jeffers also assured customers that the shops in Market Square and Grand Street in Lisburn, as well as in Fountain Street in Belfast, would remain open and Jeffers would continue to supply local convenience stores with their products.