Latest news with #LoafMCR
Metro
29-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
Much-loved bakers to close all sites for good tomorrow
A beloved bakery chain founded to raise money for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic is about to close all of its sites. Loaf MCR started off inside a shipping container on Pollard Yard, a co-working space in Manchester, selling about 50 cakes a week in 2021. But some four years and three site openings later, the bakery's founder announced earlier this month that they will be closing for good. The final day the two Loaf MCR cafés – on Salford's Affinity Living Riverview and Manchester's Oxford Road – will be open is tomorrow, April 30. This also applies to the company's concession stand at the Trafford Centre Selfridge's. 'I've made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR,' Aidan Ryan said in a statement titled 'end of an era' shared on social media. 'Loaf began in 2020 as a small lockdown idea to raise money for the NHS – and somehow grew into a bold, pink cake business that lived in a shipping container, then cafés on Oxford St and even Selfridges! 'It was more than I ever dreamed of. It was fun, bold, unapologetically pink – and full of heart.' Aiden and his partner began the business in 2020, baking loaf cakes topped with Custard Creams, Jammie Dodgers, Biscoff Biscuits and pink wafers to raise money for the NHS Million. 83 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6EG Affinity Riverview, 29 New Bailey St, Salford, M3 5GN Selfridge's, 60 The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8DA By the following year, Aiden was selling sweet treats at local events for Selfridge's and Pretty Little Thing – all while working a day job. After opening its first branch in 2022, Loaf MCR quickly built a cult following among Manchester's food scene for its pink walls. And a community hub, too. Loaf MCR has opened their doors every year on Christmas Day to people struggling with loneliness and homelessness. 'But behind the scenes, it's been a really hard year,' Ryan added. 'We lost essential funding, faced delayed payments and invoices, battled rising costs, and unexpected hits – including a supplier taking thousands from our account without permission. It led to cashflow issues we couldn't recover from.' Ryan said the battered business has been struggling to pay bills and even tips and pension contributions for staff. 'It was a living nightmare and it weighed heavily on me,' he said. 'At the same time, I was facing big personal challenges, which led to a mental breakdown the middle of last year. I couldn't function. And when your business needs you 24/7, everything starts falling fast.' For Ryan, running the three Loaf MCRs was not all 'Instagrammable moments', but a lot of 'stress, silence and sacrifice'. 'Still, I'm proud. Of the joy we spread. Of the community we built. And of myself – for knowing when to stop and look after mine and my team's health,' he added. 'To my loafly team: you were the heart of this. Thank you for everything. To our suppliers, landlords, partners, and customers – thank you for believing in Loaf. 'Our final day is April 30. If you want one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug, we'd loaf to see you.' Instagram users said they'd be there. 'We came last year for my birthday and adored it! We will be back all the way from Hull on Monday for one last loaf as it's my birthday!' wrote Charlotte Swann. Charlotte added: 'Sorry to hear this! Super little place and a loss to Manchester!' Between the pandemic and the years-long cost-of-living crisis, several bakery chains, including Oddie's, have been forced to shutter. One in four British bakery businesses is now loss-making, analytic firm Plimsoll's found, with two in 10 financially at risk. More Trending With Loaf MCR's closure tomorrow, Aiden says the future is uncertain. 'As for what's next… who knows?' he said. 'For now, we rest. Thank you for being part of our story. I'll carry it with me, always.' A version of this article was originally published on April 8, 2025 Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Full list and dates of 17 Morrisons stores closing imminently MORE: Full list of 108 Post Office branches set to change ownership MORE: Woman died after 'speeding away from police and crashing into parked car'
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular bakery chain to close ALL sites for good tomorrow as owner admits ‘it's impossible to recover'
OVENS OFF Popular bakery chain to close ALL sites for good tomorrow as owner admits 'it's impossible to recover' A POPULAR bakery chain will no longer serve customers as it shuts its doors for the final time tomorrow. Loaf MCR, which opened in 2020 as a lockdown idea, has had to close as the owner cited financial difficulties. 2 Bakery chain Loaf MCR boasted bright pink interiors and retro design Credit: INSTAgram/@loaf_manchester 2 Loaf MCR had three sites across Greater Manchester after opening in 2020 Credit: INSTAgram/@loaf_manchester Its three sites across Greater Manchester will close for good after April 30, following "cashflow challenges" since last year. Founder of Loaf, Aiden Ryan, took to social media to share the news: "I've made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR. "It was fun, bold, unapologetically pink and full of love. "But behind the scenes, it's been a really tough year - and I want to be honest about that." The business started during the pandemic, as a small project for Aiden and his partner to raise money for the NHS. First from a shipping container at Pollard Yard, Loaf expanded to have two more cafes in Manchester. Known for its bright pink interior, the cafe chain was popular for people in the local area to grab a sweet treat. It sold a range of lavish baked goods, from croissants, cakes, banana splits and coffees. Aiden also candidly shared his announcement: "We were relying on funding that fell through at the last minute – funding that was essential to keeping Loaf sustainable. "At the same time, we were hit with severely delayed payments and invoices, ever rising costs, and mounting arrears." Scottish Cafe Closes Its Doors After Five Years He added: "On top of that, I was facing huge personal challenges – and eventually, the pressure became too much." The news attracted an influx of support from the community, with one person commenting on his post: "So sorry to hear this Aiden, this is a loss that will definitely be hard to take. "I only hoped I could've stopped by some more." Another young aspiring baker shared his condolences: "I'm 17 and just starting my own food business – what you built with Loaf is genuinely inspiring. "Wishing you nothing but the best for whatever comes next." Loaf MCR is among a number of bakery chains that have had to close down recently due to financial struggles. This news comes just a month after beloved family bakery Butter Wouldn't Melt in Cheshire also devastated fans by closing its doors.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Popular bakery chain to close ALL sites for good tomorrow as owner admits ‘it's impossible to recover'
A POPULAR bakery chain will no longer serve customers as it shuts its doors for the final time tomorrow. Loaf MCR, which opened in 2020 as a lockdown idea, has had to close as the owner cited financial difficulties. 2 2 Its three sites across Greater Manchester will close for good after April 30, following "cashflow challenges" since last year. Founder of Loaf, Aiden Ryan, took to social media to share the news: "I've made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR. "It was fun, bold, unapologetically pink and full of love. "But behind the scenes, it's been a really tough year - and I want to be honest about that." The business started during the pandemic, as a small project for Aiden and his partner to raise money for the NHS. First from a shipping container at Pollard Yard, Loaf expanded to have two more cafes in Manchester. Known for its bright pink interior, the cafe chain was popular for people in the local area to grab a sweet treat. It sold a range of lavish baked goods, from croissants, cakes, banana splits and coffees. Aiden also candidly shared his announcement: "We were relying on funding that fell through at the last minute – funding that was essential to keeping Loaf sustainable. "At the same time, we were hit with severely delayed payments and invoices, ever rising costs, and mounting arrears." Scottish Cafe Closes Its Doors After Five Years He added: "On top of that, I was facing huge personal challenges – and eventually, the pressure became too much." The news attracted an influx of support from the community, with one person commenting on his post: "So sorry to hear this Aiden, this is a loss that will definitely be hard to take. "I only hoped I could've stopped by some more." Another young aspiring baker shared his condolences: "I'm 17 and just starting my own food business – what you built with Loaf is genuinely inspiring. "Wishing you nothing but the best for whatever comes next." Loaf MCR is among a number of bakery chains that have had to close down recently due to financial struggles. This news comes just a month after beloved family bakery Butter Wouldn't Melt in Cheshire also devastated fans by closing its doors.
