Forum Topic

Plum Duff bakery not closing (necessarily)

Thought I would start a new thread on this because the existing one has a potentially misleading title.I was there earlier and spoke to staff and it is far from certain that it will close. They do appear to have been somewhat left out of the loop but it seems the intention of the new owner may be to continue to run it as a cafe but without the bakery.We will see what happens on Monday morning but hopefully it has been written off prematurely. The article currently on the front page of this site is about right as far I can see.

Anita Blake ● 1140d9 Comments

Very sensible. I should have done this myself as I had heard the same from staff earlier in the week. They never said at any point that they had been told Plum Duff was closing just that they were unsure about what happens next.It could close but there are grounds for hope just now. The economics of the baker business are terrible right now due to the cost of electricity and the difficulty in getting people willing to work the hours required to deliver fresh bread first thing in the morning. However, there is a lot of goodwill in the area for the business and even if it just becomes a cafe, I'm sure it will get support.

Mark Evans ● 1140d

Some of the upmarket 'bakeries' on the High Road have their bread delivery so Bedford Park was lucky to have the option of freshly baked bread in the morning. Jade (what was Lavelis) may still do, I'm not sure.Part of the problem is that the volume they sells mean many supermarkets, including the local Sainsbury's can justify baking bread on site. It is possible having a baker there late at night also serves a security purpose which further offsets the cost.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1139d

It doesn't appear to have reopened so far this week and there is no notice on the window to indicate what its future will be. I will be so sad if it closes permanently.

Anita Blake ● 1137d

Devastated - I loved Plum Duff's. One of the few small businesses of longstanding left. We don't need another café but a proper bakers that is not an over priced chain was priceless.

Charlotte Kasner ● 1137d

Err - we do need another cafe.  It was very popular and nothing like it on this densely populated area unless you want to go to the couple at the top end of Acton Lane or down to TGT/High Rd/South Parade, quite a long walk instead of popping round the pleasant corner for the many residents lucky enough tolibe close to Southfield Playing Fields. A bakery would also be great but if we can't have both another good cafe would be welcome and popular.

Claire Moran ● 1137d

A cafe would be useful here but would it be viable, particularly out of term time? Also without fresh bread it is unlikely to be as popular as it was. There probably is a bakery on an industrial estate in Park Royal that will deliver loaves and pastries to an independent cafe but it is not the same as seeing the oven that baked it in front of you or having it handed to you warm.My best guess would be that if someone has taken it on they are going to wait until September to reopen.

Mark Evans ● 1136d

There were always people sitting outside there unless it was raining and then indoors if it was. I get my lovely fresh bread delivered weekly to my door so rarely bought bread there, but if they are producing cakes/pies/snacks for their cafe customers they could offer those to take away, even if they don't supply daily baked bread.

Claire Moran ● 1136d

How does getting fresh bread delivered weekly work? Surely on the following day it is no longer fresh.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1136d

Lasts a few days if you keep it airtight/in the fridge or freezer.  If necessary after a few days, a little water and a few minutes in the oven and it's as if it has just been freshly baked.

Claire Moran ● 1136d