Bradfords No More - Strathbungo Bakers Go Bust

 

10 Torriesdale Street

In 1924 Hugh Bradford with his sons, William and Hugh, established Bradford's Bakers, with a small shop in Niddrie Road. The business was transferred to Nithsdale Road, during the 1930s where it remained until December 1969 when Bradford's Bakers sold their Nithsdale Road premises (now William Hills) and the third generation grandson of the founder, Hugh Robert Bradford and his wife Helen, started afresh by opening a small shop at 10 Torrisdale Street with only three employees. The quality and range of goods was increased and a wide variety of bread was introduced, with wedding cakes becoming a particular speciality.

Bradfords Nithsdale Road

In 1984, Bradfords opened its first city centre shop in Cambridge Street, Glasgow, incorporating chocolates and a tearoom service alongside its traditionally bakery shop.

The business quickly outgrew the premises at Torrisdale Street and so the bakery was moved to new premises in Giffnock. From here the company grew to supplying a total of 9 retail outlets

By 1982 the shortage of space had become so acute it became necessary to move again. This time to the present 2 acre site at the Waterfall Bakery.. In 1984 the company opened its first City Centre shop, in Cambridge Street, taking the opportunity to expand the range further to include hand made chocolates and also opening a separate tearoom.

In 1989 their flagship shop was moved from Cambridge Street to Sauchiehall Street taking over the former Sir Hugh Fraser's department store. Tat the time, the site was the largest artisan bakers shop in the United Kingdom situated on three floors and occupying over 5,500 square feet of retail space.

The business opened a new expanded bakery in 1993 to supplying their 12 retail outlets all within the Glasgow area, including the one at 10 Torriesdale Street.

In January 1998 the company launched a new associated company - Miss Cranstons Tearooms but the company had perhaps expanded themselves too fast and in 2011 they came close to liquidation after HM Revenue and Customs attempted through the courts to have the business wound down.

It was clear from the Strathbungo shop that the company was facing financial difficulties and on Glasgow Fair Friday, 12^th July 2013 the company still owned by Helen Bradford and her daughter Claire Bradford appointed Grainger Corporate as liquidators.

In a statement, Bradfords said it was "with great sadness" that its retail branches had now closed.

It said: "We would like to thank all of our customers and employees for their loyal support over the years. 

 

"It has been a pleasure to serve the Glasgow public through our branches, but we regret that due to the impact of increasing costs and adverse trading conditions we were unable to continue despite our best efforts following action from creditors.

"In keeping with our desire to provide the best possible service to customers, we will be contacting all those who have placed an order with us so that we may either fulfil the order, or provide a refund.

"Bradfords Gift Website and The Bakery ATM will continue to trade and are not affected by the branch closures."