Readers have been weighing in after a Birds Bakery shop closed
Development of the Pencil Works on a former car park opposite Birds Bakery in Stapleford (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
There’s been a wave of opinions after declining trade resulted in the closure of a Birds Bakery shop in Stapleford.
After decades on the town’s high street, the shop shut for good last weekend. Nottinghamshire Live readers debated the demise of the shop in Derby Road, with some blaming the recent loss of nearby car parking and others complaining about increasing prices and a change in service.
But whatever the reason, it’s also made some shoppers feel very sentimental as they shared their memories of the company in general, which has just over 60 shops, mostly in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Commenting on the Nottinghamshire Live Facebook page, Steven Ginger Cave said: “Make it harder to park, close car parks, add speed bumps everywhere, leave potholes growing… and then wonder why people stop coming into town.
“Maybe if there’d been a revamp — fresh look, a small eating area out front, a couple of tables outside — it could’ve brought people back.
“Bring back free parking, open the old Co-op roof parking again, and actually fix the roads. Town centres won’t survive if we keep making them harder to visit.”
One of the main issues for customers no longer visiting the shop is the loss of a car park opposite, which is being developed into the Pencil Works, a new enterprise hub for people to visit, work and do business.
A new car park has been built further along Derby Road but former customers said it’s not as handy and too far to walk if they’re laden down with bags.
Birds in Derby Road, Stapleford(Image: Google Street View)
Another reader wrote: “Local councillors wanted their vanity project on the site of the car park, across from Birds, but there will be no shops left by the time the Pencil Works development is complete and nowhere to park when it does open. We’ve stopped shopping in the town. My partner is disabled and the old car park was ideal for access to the shops. Utter madness.”
Rather than miss out on their Birds cobs, sausage rolls and caramel doughnuts, people are shopping at other branches instead. Leanne Warren posted: “I do use Birds on a weekly basis but I either use Chilwell, Sherwood, Wollaton or Littleover despite living in Stapleford. Much easier to park at those ones.”
Others blamed the cost-of-living crisis and rising prices for not shopping there as often as they used to. Steff1954 said: “The public have not got the money they had five years ago. I can see more Birds shops closing down.”
Michelle Shioley added: “Lovely but so expensive to buy things from there.”
Roast pork cob from Birds Bakery
Julia Russell wrote: “The first of many unfortunately. Prices, quality isn’t what it used to be.” Ross Gibson said: “Expensive and the quality has gone downhill. Better buck their ideas up or a few more will be going.”
Some are disappointed with the lack of proper crockery at Birds. Bren Bridges commented: “One of the reasons I don’t go for coffee in Birds is paper cups and no plates to put your cakes or cobs on.”
Jules FJ agreed, saying: “Birds has changed recently and not for the better. I have been into two different ones which used to be a very nice places to go. Now everything is handed to you in a bag or disposable cup, increasing waste.
“Latte is from a machine that only fills three quarters full and not very hot. If they are the same staff, they are struggling with these changes. Bring back the old-style Birds.”
Samantha Beckett recalled: “I remember they used to make tea in a pot and have sandwich dressed with salad and crisps. But it stopped and it’s all paper cups. Service changes may have something to do with it.”
Gemma Davis was one of several to get nostalgic. She said: “This makes me so sad, Birds reminds me of Mamma. Every time I go to Stapleford I see the shop and it reminds me Mamma used to always bring us a big egg custard on her way home. She would always be in there early for her dripping.”
Tina Sheppard commented: “Blimey! Used to go there as a kid. It’s been there as long as I can remember.”
Robert Fretwell shared his memories too. “Every Saturday, Mum, Dad and I travelled to Mansfield by bus. Pork pie, roast ham was bought for Saturday tea and a cream cake, brilliant. Funny how you can remember little things.”
A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council said: “We are sad to see the much-loved Birds close in Stapleford.
“Since opening the new car park on Derby Road footfall has increased slightly (by 1.1%) and we have seen no significant changes to car park usage. In addition, Stapleford’s current retail unit vacancy rates are significantly lower than the national average.
“We are looking forward to footfall increasing once the Pencil Works enterprise hub opens, bringing with it new business, workers and trade to the town, a core priority of our £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund.”
