Routledge Bakers in Carlisle closes after 109 years due to rising costs
End of an era as iconic bakery shuts its doors
Routledge Bakers, a beloved staple in Carlisle, has closed its doors after 109 years in business.
The bakery has faced significant financial challenges since the end of 2024, resulting from sharply increased operational and ingredient costs, removal of hospitality relief, and rising business rates.
The company's business rates bill has surged compared to 2025 due to the removal of the 40% hospitality relief previously relied upon.
Minimum wage hikes, anticipated energy price increases, and climbing ingredient and packaging costs have further aggravated the situation.
Routledge Bakers disclosed that its operational costs alone will be over £80,000 higher than in 2025, excluding the alarming rise in ingredient prices.
In 2025, the bakery saw a dramatic increase in costs, including Employers’ National Insurance, wage increases, energy renewals, and business insurances, amounting to over £100,000 on top of high ingredient inflation.
Despite efforts to absorb these expenses, the business states the decline in high street footfall and an unsustainable business environment made continuing operations impractical.
Routledge Bakers expressed gratitude to their patrons, saying, “To everyone who has walked through our doors, supported us, shared memories with us, and made Routledge’s part of your lives — thank you. Your support has meant everything."