One of the oldest family bakers in Lancashire could close unless a rescue deal is found.

Oddie’s (W.H. Oddies Ltd) employs more than 100 people across its 13 Lancashire sites.

The business is nearly 120 years old and was founded by William Henry Oddie, with the first shop opening in Colne in 1905.

It then passed to Jack who ran the company for decades before it passed to Bill Oddie in 1988, and previously had locations in Blackburn including a stall in the market.

The company is renowned for its freshly baked bread, hand-crafted confectionery, pies and savouries.

In 2005, the then Prince Charles visited the main bakery in Nelson to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The company said rising energy costs and falling footfall on the high street had forced the family to sell.

Bill pictured Lara who now heads Oddie'sDirector at Oddie’s Lara Oddie said: "Over the decades, it has withstood two world wars and their food scarcity, the Great Depression, the fall of Lancashire's cotton industry, the rise of powerful supermarkets, and even the Covid pandemic, which forced us to adapt our entire operating model.
 
“But with an energy crisis quadrupling costs and footfall declining on the high streets, the Oddie family decided it was time to sell. 

“Sadly, an eleventh-hour withdrawal by the buyer has left us with no choice but to consider closure. 

"As a family firm, we have always seen ourselves as part of the local community fabric, making this a heartbreaking situation for us, our devoted staff, and the loyal customers in Burnley and Pendle who have cherished our unique products.”

In this picture from the LT archive a queue on St James Street in Burnley in September 1977, during a bread shortage.Azets, an accounting and advisory firm, and Brabners Solicitors have been advising the fourth-generation family bakery.

Corporate Finance Partner at Azets, Tim Mills, said: “Unfortunately, against the tough business landscape, with the energy crisis and high-street footfall reduction playing large roles, we’re seeing companies head further into financial difficulties as a result of the cost of business crisis. 

“We are exploring sale options of Oddie’s with interested parties with a view to securing a future for the group and saving as much of the business and as many jobs as possible.”