BAKERS Waterfields has confirmed the Atherton store on Market Street is set to close.

The well-known north west business announced 11 branches across the region would be affected in a move to reduce costs.

Richard Waterfield, a director of the company, said: "Waterfields bakers and confectioners, operating from its head office in Leigh, with 45 shops in the north west, has instructed Julien Irving and John Titley of Leonard Curtis to propose a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with its creditors.

"The purpose of the proposal is to implement a turnaround strategy of the business, with a view to closing 11 stores and reducing its staff costs by way of a redundancy programme.

"The family-run business, which was established in 1926, has been experiencing challenging market conditions which have adversely impacted on the performance of certain stores and the business as a whole.

"The proposed restructuring of our operations will enable us to make the necessary changes to return the company to profitability."

A meeting of creditors is to be held in Manchester on December 20.

In total 70 staff will lose their jobs as closures take place in areas including St Helens, Wirral and Ormskirk.

It follows the announcement earlier this year that the Leigh Select store on Bradshawgate would be closing.