'These are words I never envisaged writing': Viral Leeds bakery confirms shock closure
A bakery in Leeds which has hundreds of thousands of online followers has announced the sudden closure of its Headingley store due to “a significant rise in rent and rates”.
Viral sensation Get Baked has confirmed that its Headingley store, located on North Lane, will close its doors for the final time on February 28 after five years of trading.
In a statement on Instagram, Get Baked founder Rich Myers said: “These are words I never envisaged myself writing, but I must share with you all the news that at the end of February, our Headingley store will be closing.
“When we opened the site 5 years ago, it was a requirement of the landlord that the lease was personally guaranteed — at the time I had little to lose, and didn’t think twice.
“Now our lease is up for renewal, with the same requirement for me to personally guarantee it — the difference being that I have a lot more to lose, and with a significant rise in rent and rates, paired with the obvious strains on hospitality that everyone’s more than aware of — I can no longer personally guarantee the lease.”
The dessert brand confirmed that the new lease would put too much of a strain on the business which needs to make at least £500,000 per month to break even.
Get Baked was first created in Rich’s kitchen back in 2011.
The business, which is best known for indulgent sweet treats such as ‘the Bruce’, a 24-layer chocolate cake, has attracted popularity online, with more than 340,000 followers on Instagram and five million likes on TikTok.
Get Baked’s online shop and their Manchester store will remain open and according to Rich “online is very much the future” of Get Baked.
In the announcement, Rich thanked the Get Baked staff who have “played a pivotal role” in the business’ success.
Rich said: “I have an enormous amount of gratitude for the teams we’ve had in Headingley over the last five years.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are - I’m very grateful.”
He also extended thanks to customers who welcomed the store with “open arms” when it relaunched in Headingley in 2021.
Rich said: “I’m conscious that Headingley serves some of our most loyal and regular customers and I am so grateful to you all for your support over the years.”