Last chance to visit GBBO winner's Ruff Puff bakery near Chorley - John Whaite announces 'painful' closure
Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has announced he is closing his bakery shop in Mawdesley, just six months after opening.
The 36-year-old, who won the third series of the show in 2021 and now works as a chef, television presenter and author, launched the successful online bakery Ruff Puff Bakehouse, which has become well-known for its brownies and blondies that sell out in seconds.
Since last July he’s also been operating a ‘bricks and mortar’ shop at Cedar Gallery in Mawdesley - just miles from his Chorley birthplace. However, just six months on, it has been announced that the shop will be closing permanently at the end of this week, while a ‘necessary reset’ takes place.
On Ruff Puff Bakehouse’s Instagram account, John said: “This has been a painful decision, but after a great deal of reflection, we've decided to close the Bakehouse and refocus our energy on Ruff Puff Brownies as an online business.
“To our local customers: thank you. Your support, loyalty and kindness have meant more than we can properly express. This decision is not a reflection of you or the community around the Bakehouse. It's about recognising when a model - and a moment - is no longer sustainable.
“A huge thanks, also, to the Baillie family at Cedar Farm who have been so accommodating, helpful and supportive while we've tried to make the Bakehouse work.
“Over the coming months, l'll be taking a proper step back to rest and recover. This pause is necessary. It gives me the space to reset, to protect my health, and to rebuild with intention rather than urgency. Ruff Puff Brownies will relaunch in the autumn, refreshed, refined, and centred around a business model that makes sense - one that allows us to focus on what we do best: making exceptional brownies and sending them out across the UK.
Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and for giving us the room to do this properly. This isn't the end - it's a necessary reset.”
Cedar Farm said: “John arrived at Cedar Farm and created something truly special. From beautifully crafted pastries and flavours you couldn’t stop thinking about, Ruff Puff Bakehouse quickly became a favourite (we’ve loved seeing all your snaps and videos!). We want to say a huge thank you to John for the passion, creativity and deliciousness he’s brought to Cedar Farm. It’s been an absolute pleasure having him here, and we wish him every success in whatever comes next.”
Closing date
Ruff Puff Bakehouse will be closing its doors on Saturday, January 24.