Butterwick bakery closes 12 of 14 branches as costs rise, focuses on two remaining stores

Butterwick, a bakery and coffee shop chain founded by Fiona and Ryan Scarborough in Corby, Northamptonshire, said it is closing 12 of its 14 branches with immediate effect due to rising operating costs and significant changes in customer spending habits. The two stores that will remain open are Rushden Lakes retail park and Northampton's St Giles' Street location.

In a Facebook post, the couple cited "the continued rise in operating costs and significant changes in customer spending habits" as factors making the business unsustainable in its current form. They added: "This decision has not been made lightly." They also wrote: "This is not the end of Butterwick - it's the beginning of an exciting new chapter. By focusing on Rushden and Northampton, we will be returning to our roots: an authentic in-store bakery experience where craft, freshness, and creativity come first." They noted they were also "heartbroken for the impact on our incredible team members."

The closures affect branches across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, with additional sites in Milton Keynes, Rugby in Warwickshire and Retford in Nottinghamshire impacted. The owners said they were making the changes with the aim of preserving the core brand and returning to a more focused operation centered on the two retained locations.

Butterwick was founded in Corby, where the Scarboroughs started the business, and grew to operate shops across the region. The decision to pare back came after efforts to secure all stores and protect every role were no longer viable under rising cost pressures. The founders described the evolution of the business as a response to changing market conditions while maintaining a commitment to craft and quality.

All current orders for celebration or wedding cakes would be honoured, the owners said, providing reassurance to customers with pending bookings. The two retained sites are expected to be the flagship locations for Butterwick’s renewed focus on an authentic in-store bakery experience, with an emphasis on craft, freshness, and creativity as the business recalibrates its footprint.