A POPULAR bakery will close at the end of the year after 10 years of trading at markets in Worcester and Malvern.
Three Bears Bakery, based in Hanley Swan and known for drawing long queues at markets in Worcester and Malvern, will serve its final customers in December.
The business, founded by mum-of-three Nicky Riley, began in her kitchen making birthday cakes before expanding into brownies, blondies and other sweet treats.
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Mrs Riley said that she is sad about the closure but decided to step away from Three Bears Bakery to pursue different commitments.
A long queue often forms at Three Bears Bakery when it appears at markets. (Image: Three Bears Bakery)
Mrs Riley said: “It has been amazing and people have been really supportive, but it is a lifestyle running the business.
“It is a huge community and a way of life.
“It has been exciting.
“I will miss it – what I will miss the most is the community.
“The markets in general are the highlight.
“They’re the thing that is the most exciting.”
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During the Covid-19 pandemic, the bakery saw a surge in growth as Mrs Riley delivered baked goods to customers who would wave to her from their windows.
She described the past decade as “an exciting ten years” and said the business would “end on a high.”
Nicky Riley at one of the marktes in Worcester. (Image: Newsquest)
Three Bears Bakery will make four more market appearances before closing.
Customers can find them at the Malvern Christmas Light Switch On on November 21, the Great Malvern Christmas Market on November 28, the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre from December 3 to 6, and the Great Malvern Farmers Market on December 19.
Mrs Riley expects the final events to be extremely busy, with some customers joking they will need to buy new freezers to stock up.
She said: “We are so grateful.
“Thank you for all of the support over the years.
“That is the thing that makes the decision hard.”
Despite the closure, Mrs Riley plans to keep her recipes a closely guarded secret.
She has also been approached by people abroad who have recognised her and the Three Bears Bakery brand.