Bakery chain Oddie’s could reopen some stores after closing its final store last month following 120 years of being in .

Oddie’s was a family-run bakery chain based in Nelson, Lancashire and had branches across the east of the county including Burnley and Colne, having opened its first shop in 1905. However, it was forced to shut up shop in January, with the loss of almost 100 , after facing significant hardships since the Covid pandemic and the "economic slowdown"

But managing director Lara Oddie has now said the company is hopeful that seven of its 13 shops could reopen. Ms Oddie told the : "I worked behind the scenes really hard all last year on a deal and literally three weeks before it was meant to happen, the guy pulled out, which left me with very few options and fewer resources.

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"But, since the announcements been made more public, other people have come out of the woodwork. So, I am still negotiating with interested parties behind the scenes and I've got everything crossed that maybe seven of my shops would reopen shortly."

Company bosses had sought a rescue deal late last year to save the firm, however the potential sale "fell through after extensive negotiations". Accounting and advisory firm Azets and Brabners Solicitors have been advising the fourth-generation family bakery.

In a statement issued last month, announcing the closures, Oddie's said: "Over recent years and compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic the business has faced significant hardships. Economic slowdown has had a profound impact on the business’ ability to operate at levels we were accustomed to.

"The company reacted through a combination of centre shop closures, product range rationalisation, and reducing staffing levels to the bare minimum. The business was beginning to see the shoots of recovery. Like all businesses, cost pressures have continued to escalate, not least through the energy crisis which has depleted much of the company's reserves. This has put a heavy strain on the company’s finances and ultimately the cost to reinvest and recover."

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