A beloved UK bakery chain in Cumbria has made the difficult decision to close all of its stores after 109 years. Routledges the Bakers, a well-known name on Carlisle’s high street, confirmed that all eight of its branches have shut permanently. The company shared the news on social media with a “heavy heart,” citing “relentless increases in operational and ingredient costs.”

It explained that rising minimum wages, higher business rates, and energy price hikes would push operational costs more than £80,000 higher than in 2025, while a continued decline in high street footfall added further pressure on the business. Founded in 1917 by the Routledge family with its first shop on Brook Street, Routledges grew over the years into one of Carlisle’s largest bakers and employers.

It offered a wide range of products, including bread, pastries, cakes, and filled rolls, alongside a range of fresh meals from local produce and ingredients.

Routledges the Bakers operated eight branches across Carlisle at Brook Street, Central Avenue, Morton, Mount Place, Newtown, Warwick Road, and Wigton.

The business announced the closures in a Facebook post.

In a statement, the company said: “This is not something we ever thought we would have to write. Since the end of 2024, we have faced relentless increases in our operational and ingredient costs.

“Alongside this, minimum wage increases, business rate increases and the reality of further energy price rises when we renew our contracts in the coming months mean our operational costs alone will be over £80,000 higher than in 2025.

“At the same time, we have seen a continued decline in high street footfall.

“So, with incredibly heavy hearts, we have made the decision not to face another year of rising costs and uncertainty. Routledges has now closed for good after 109 years.”

Routledges had recently trialled a self-service store model at Carlisle’s market hall, aiming to cut running costs and offer lower prices to customers. Prices were also reduced across its shops in March, ITV reports.

A Government spokesperson said: “While this is a commercial decision for Routledges the Bakers, we appreciate this will be a difficult time for the workers.

“We’re reforming business rates to back the high street with a £4.3bn support package to limit bill rises, cutting red tape and taking action on the cost of living to boost the sector.”