Bakery owner forced to close due to ill health
Almost £10,000 raised as business shuts its doors
The owner of an independent bakery trading in a town for 10 years says he has been “forced” to close for the sake of his own health.
Jamie Tandoh set up the Bicycle Bakery in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, in 2014.
He says he has made the difficult decision to shut up shop following “excruciating pain” from arthritis.
There was confusion when he shared the announcement on April 1 (April Fool’s Day) but the artisan bread-maker has confirmed the closure is legitimate.
However, he hopes it will be only temporary and he will be able to reopen in the summer.
The announcement from the Bicycle Bakery on Facebook resulted in many comments from customers calling the news “a great shame” with others on Instagram saying “the town won’t be the same without you”. Jamie, from Tunbridge Wells, said: “I was forced to close the bakery for my own health because I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands a few years ago.
“I’ve been trying to manage the pain ever since but in the past few months it increased in its severity, so much so that every morning I was waking up and wasn’t able to open my hands without excruciating pain.
“It is the reality of running your own business - there’s no one else to fall back on.” Despite the pain, the 39-yearold continued to work due to being the only baker but said it got the point he “couldn’t physically go on” so made the difficult decision to close the shop. “It wasn’t an easy decision to
make as it’s my livelihood and that of my team and I know how much the bakery means to the community,” he added.
Since closing, Jamie has made a GoFundMe campaign called The Bicycle Bakery: Keep the Dough Rolling, on the recommendation from friends and at the time of going to press it had raised more than £9,500. The sourdough enthusiast hopes the money donated will cover the costs of the bakery during his hiatus and allow
time to find a new head baker and additional staff.
Writing on the GoFundMe page, Jamie said: “By supporting our campaign you are not just helping us reopen a bakery, you are investing in the revitalisation of a beloved local institution and ensuring that the Bicycle Bakery can continue to be a gathering place where friendships are forged.” Since the shop in Camden Road closed, the owner says he has been stopped by many customers
asking about the bakery and when it will reopen. He said: “So many people have reached out on social media to see if me and the team are ok and that we were in their thoughts.
“Lots of people are really sad that they aren’t able to get their tasty bread and treats.
“I hope through this crowdfunding campaign, our community help the bakery back on its feet again in the not-toodistant future.”