Family Bakery which was opened three over three decades ago has closed its doors this weekend due to the effects of the cost of living crisis and COVID-19 backlash.
Thomas the Baker was established back in 1981 by John Thomas and his wife Valerie. He had two sons Gareth and Simon and it is still a family business to his day.
The company has shops across Yorkshire including Helmsley, York, Scarborough, Harroage, Beverley, Driffield, and Bedale as well as one in Malton and others.
But the family which has seen great success over its 40-year history is having to close the doors of its Skipton branch due to a lack of staff and shift covers leaving it in an ‘impossible’ position
Simon Thomas, general manager at Thomas the Baker, has explained why the company has reached this difficult decision saying: “It is with great sadness that we reached the decision to permanently close our Skipton Shop on Saturday April 15.
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“Over the past 10 years, the shop has remained very popular in the local community, largely thanks to our excellent team, and has traded well.
“Despite the shop’s attractive appeal and efforts to recruit new staff members for the past 2 years, we have faced challenges finding adequate shop cover. We are unfortunately now in a position where it is impossible to cover the shop and sadly cannot remain open.
“I would personally, on behalf of the Thomas family and the wider Thomas the Baker team, like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team at Skipton for their hard work, commitment and effort.
They have persevered through difficult times, and the ongoing success of the shop even in spite of staffing difficulties is a real credit to each and every of them.”
Other branches across Yorkshire remain open.
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