AFTER almost 60 years serving the people of Ipswich a popular chain of bakers are to close their doors for the last time.S. F Shanks and Sons have been established in the town since their first shop opened in Tuddenham Avenue in 1945.

AFTER almost 60 years serving the people of Ipswich a popular chain of bakers are to close their doors for the last time.

S. F Shanks and Sons have been established in the town since their first shop opened in Tuddenham Avenue in 1945.

But its owners, brothers Grenville and Rodney Shanks, have now decided to sell up and retire - a decision partly prompted by the increasing competition from larger stores.

They will bake their last loaf on Saturday

Pip Shanks, 62, runs the Tuddenham Avenue bakery with husband Grenville. She said: "There's just not enough money left in the pot to do repairs or renovations and we feel the time is right to say goodbye.

"Obviously, we are looking forward to retiring and having some time to ourselves but we will all miss it very much.

"Over the years our customers have become like friends."

The Tuddenham Avenue bakery was opened in 1945 by Grenville and Rodney's father, Samuel.

Since then the company have established other shops in Queensway, St Johns Road, Norwich Road, Bramford Lane, Penshurst Road, and in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.

Today, only four of these remain - in Queensway, Bramford Lane, Tuddenham Ave and Hamilton Road.

Over the years, four generations of the family have worked in the stores.

Samuel's great granddaughter is now a Saturday girl.

Mrs Shanks said: "I don't really think much has changed over the years. We're still very old-fashioned in a sense, but I think that's what people will miss - good old-fashioned friendly service.

"We also use a very traditional method of baking, which a lot of the newer shops don't."

Joan Read, 79, of Allenby Road was a regular customer. She said: "It is another sad blow for Ipswich. Their bread is the best you can get and their apple pies are lovely.

"The staff are like old friends and we have had many laughs."

The Queensway shop has been bought by another company and will be reopening soon. The other shops will remain closed until buyers are found.

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