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One of Newlyn's oldest established businesses closed on
Saturday - St Valentine's day.
Messrs E Eddy and Son, bakers and confectioners, have been
baking bread, pasties and cakes for the people of Newlyn and district
for the past 86 years.
The bakery and shop, which is located in Jack Lane was jointly
run by father an son team Fran and David Eddy, whose family has headed
the business since its foundation in 1918.
David, whose grand grandfather, also called David, originally
founded the business, said it had been a "very poignant time"
for the whole family.
"But it was time to call it a day" said David.
"Small craft bakeries like ours have had their day
really. The big supermarkets are changing everyone's shopping habits and
people don't have time to go from one small shop to another as they used
to."
David said his father, who is now 74, was looking forward
to putting his feet up - no more 5.30am starts - and that he was planning
to develop his love for art and painting.
"Art has always been my first love and I want to concentrate
on developing that," said David.
"We have been gradually winding the business down over
the past year and most of our staff have already gone."
Two weeks ago a notice appeared in the auction section of
The Cornishman advertising the closure of the business and the
auctioning tomorrow of bakery, catering and shop equipment, along with
delivery vans and other effect. The bakery and shop will be put up for
sale separately.
A notice in the window of the shop stated:" It is with
great sadness that we have made the decision to close the bakery on Saturday
14 February 2004.
"May we take this opportunity to thank all our customers
past and present and wish you well."
The shock news of the bakery's closure was followed by further
news last week of the closure - also on St Valentine's Day - of Trevessa
Stores in Chywoone Hill, Newlyn.
This traditional "corner shop" and off-licence
has been run for the past 17 years by Brian and Jean Hunt.
The couple told The Cornishman last week that they had been
struggling to make a living from the shop ever since the Newlyn Board
School across the road closed around 10 years ago.
"The school closure really hit us,"said Mr Hunt
"Since then we have tried a number of initiatives to attract customers
in, and setting up a Paypoint facility for key metres."
Mrs hunt said:"The modern generation tend to shop at
big supermarkets, whereas when we first took over 17 years ago, there
were a lot of older people who relied on shops like this."
The couple said that they intended taking a rest for a while
and putting their feet up after working seven days a week from 7.30am
to 9pm.
"We put the premises on the market, but there has been
no interest from anyone wanting to take over as a going concern,"
she said.
"We have kept the liquor licence as if anyone is interested
in continuing the business, we would be delighted to hear from them."
In recent years there have been a number of business changes
in the port, including the opening of a new bakery last year by former
staff from Eddy's at Newlyn Bridge. The Co-op also has its own bakery
in The Strand and Warren's Bakery and Auntie May's Pasty Shop also have
business there.
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
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