100 jobs lost as bakery chain closes all stores

A family run bakery in Exeter has shut resulting in the loss of 100 jobs.

Crusty Cob has been in operation for 55 years with four generations of the Tubbs family.

It had nine outlets in both Devon and Somerset and supplied other stores with its products.

The company blamed rising costs and fewer customers for the closure.

In a statement, the company said: “The current state of bakery manufacturing, a shrinking customer base in the High Street, inflation, energy costs along with wage and National Insurance increases have all contributed to this decision.

“Moreover, our industry has been in a constant downturn, making it increasingly difficult to sustain our business.”