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The Wake and Bakery in Cheriton high street closes a year after opening

16:12, 23 March 2023

updated: 16:25, 23 March 2023

A bakery has shut exactly a year after opening with bosses saying its high street location is "no longer viable".

The Wake and Bakery in Cheriton, Folkestone, closed its doors for the final time yesterday as footfall has dropped and bills have doubled amid the cost-of-living crisis.

The Wake and Bakery in Cheriton
The Wake and Bakery in Cheriton

But owner Matt Holland says this is not the end as he is now on the search for a "bigger and better location" and hopes to reopen "as soon as possible".

Announcing the news on Facebook, he said: "It’s with a heavy heart we have to announce we will be closing our doors for the last time.

"We’ve had a great year but we’ve made the decision the shop, in its current location, is no longer viable.

"Thank you everyone who has supported us.

"We will hopefully be back soon in a bigger, better location."

The bakery sold "high-end" food
The bakery sold "high-end" food

Customers replied to the post saying how much the store, next to Cheriton Fish Bar and Wings 'n' Dat, will be missed.

One said: "I’ll miss the cheery lunchtime smiles. Thanks for being fabulous."

One customer described the steak slices as "the best around" while another praised their "lovely" sausage rolls.

Mr Holland, 29, added: "We are not really sure what has slowed down the traffic into the shop in the last few months, we know it's not the food because we have had such good feedback from customers.

"It might be the cost of living.

The Wake and Bakery also sold ice creams
The Wake and Bakery also sold ice creams
Customers say they sold "the best steak slices around" while others praised their "lovely" sausage rolls
Customers say they sold "the best steak slices around" while others praised their "lovely" sausage rolls

"We sell good, high-end food and all of our costs have doubled since opening.

"We are swallowing that cost and not raising prices for customers.

"We tried expanding out by offering more things like baguettes and ice cream but I think generally people just don't have the money.

"I want to find somewhere busier as soon as possible, but that might be three months, it might be a year."

Ideally Mr Holland would like to keep the business in the Cheriton and Folkestone area as he grew up nearby.

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