Lancashire bakery Oddie’s hopeful of rescue deal with Waterfields of Leigh

Waterfields, a family bakery based in Leigh, is working on acquiring sites from East Lancashire bakery Oddie’s which closed its doors in January.

A sign in the window of the Burnley branch of Oddie’s said the shop was going to reopen in March, with the logo of Leigh bakery Waterfields on it. 

A spokesperson told TheBusinessDesk.com: “Oddie’s is working with Waterfields in the hope of reaching a deal on certain sites. Until the process is complete, we’re unable to share further details on the specific properties or anticipated reopening dates. More information will follow once the process is finalised.”

Nelson-based bakery Oddie’s closed the doors on its 13 shops in January 2025, but the company has remained hopeful of finding a buyer for some parts of the business, with advisers Azets acting for the family on a deal.

The main bakehouse in Nelson served 13 shops across East Lancashire with baked bread and pies.

In November TheBusinessDesk.com reported how efforts were being made by advisers from accountants Azets and Brabners Solicitors to save 100 jobs across the business.

Lara Oddie, director at Oddie’s, blamed the energy crisis quadrupling costs and declining footfall on the high streets as the factors behind a decision to sell, but that an eleventh-hour withdrawal by a potential buyer led to the closure.

The shops were spread across Burnley, Nelson and Colne, with one in Todmorden.

Waterfields itself has been through a restructuring. 

Now led by former Typhoo Tea chief executive Mike Brehme, who was appointed as a director on January 10, 2025, he has so far not responded to a request for comment.

Like Oddie’s Waterfields is a family-owned bakery that was founded in 1926 in Leigh and has shops across the North West. 

The business restructured following a CVA in 2016.