A FAMILY-RUN bakery is closing this week after almost 30 years of trading.

Pollards Bakery, in Plodder Lane, Farnworth, opened in 1990 after David and Lesley Pollard bought and renamed Guest’s Bakery.

Mr Pollard, 62, started at Guest’s on his 15th birthday and now runs Pollard’s with Mrs Pollard, 59, and his sister - Barbara Marlard, 56.

But after 47 years of baking, Mr Pollard has decided it is now time to put his rolling pin away.

He said: “I have mixed emotions because we have been here a long time. There’s nothing wrong with the business but it’s just the right time to move on.

“I’d have loved for somebody to have taken it on as a bakery but it’s hard work.

“We’ll all be very upset as the weekend comes but we’re looking forward to retiring.

“I’ve been baking since I was 15 so I may do a little bit in my own time but I’ve got no real plans. I just want to enjoy myself.”

The store will close its doors for the last time on Saturday, at 2.30pm. Mr Pollard thanked his customers, who he said have been left disappointed by the news.

He added: “They’re all shocked.

“People have started bringing flowers and cards.

“You get a good customer base over the years and we would like to thank them all for sharing our journey with us.”

The bakery has been bought by dentistry company Talking Teeth, which currently has practices in Wrexham, Chirk, Culcheth, Widnes, Aspull and Ince.

A planning application has been submitted to Bolton Council to change the use of the building into a dental practice on the ground floor, with a dentistry laboratory on the first floor.

The proposals also require an extension to be built at the side and rear of the building.

It is proposed that the development would create three full-time jobs.

In their design and access statement, planning agents Team2Design said: “In the Applicant’s opinion, it would be suggested the proposals do not cause demonstrable harm to neighbouring properties.”

A decision is yet to be made on whether the change of use is to be permitted.