Wales’ oldest bakery has delivered the “perfect birthday present” to Llangollen, according to an AM.
Clwyd South AM Ken Skates joined local MP Susan Elan Jones at a celebration to mark the first anniversary of the Gerrards shop in Castle Street.
It was one of the six stores taken over by Gerrards a year ago following the demise of the Eccleston’s bakery when the owner David Eccleston retired.
The other re-branded former Eccleston’s stores are in Corwen, Bala, Chirk, Gresford and Wrexham.
It means that Wrexham-based Gerrards, established in 1838 and being run by the sixth generation of the family, now has a total of 15 shops across North Wales and the Wirral.
According to directors Dirk and Dawn van Rensburg, the move has created around 30 new jobs at their new stores and are looking at the possibility of further expansion.
Earlier this year Gerrards were named as one of the top three bakeries in the UK after reaching the final of the prestigious Bakery Industry Awards.
The staff at the Llangollen store were also celebrating because they have been awarded top marks, five out five, for hygiene by the Food Standards Agency.
Mr Skates said: “This is the perfect birthday present for Llangollen. It’s an important celebration for the company and the town.
“When the Eccleston shops were closed down, it could have been very bad news for Llangollen.
“I think some people don’t realise the importance of what happens when a small or a medium sized business closes.
“This is why we’ve got to do everything we can in all sorts of ways to support and retain the diversity of the high street?
“It’s important for tourism but it’s also important for people who live here and we mustn’t forget that as well.
“We need to celebrate our home-grown Welsh businesses like Gerrards whose name is synonymous with a rich heritage and good quality.”
According to Susan Elan Jones, it would have been a huge blow if Gerrards hadn’t come to the rescue when Eccleston’s shut up shop.
She said: ““It would have been a big loss in terms of jobs going, but it also would have been a big loss in terms of a really valuable service for the communities.
“Gerrards have invested heavily right in the town centre, the very centre of these communities, and they help to make the communities thrive.
“They have the right values and the right approach to the town and the town centres.
“I was delighted that Gerrards were finalists in the Bakery Industry Awards which are the Oscars of the bakery industry. It shows their commitment to quality.
“It’s crucial that we have premium companies and premium brands in Wales, and it’s an absolute honour to see Gerrards as one of those in North Wales.”
“Wherever possible they source their ingredients locally, and that’s very important – not just for the environment in reducing CO2 but also in supporting the local supply chain.”
Dirk van Rensburg was delighted that the two politicians were able to join the celebrations.
He said: “This is another important milestone in the history of Gerrards which dates back to 1838.
“It’s also been wonderful having the support of local people. We have had so many letters and phone calls from locals saying how happy they are that we’ve come to Llangollen.
“The shop has been doing exceedingly well. We have fantastic staff and we have had a fantastic first year.
“The icing on the cake for us was reaching the finals of the Bakery Industry Awards which has given everyone a fresh impetus.”
