The proprietor of a business, which has been the staple of a village for more than 50 years, says loyal customers will be “gutted” if new owners do not keep it as a bakery.
La Patisserie in Fairfax Road, Kidlington opened in 1966 and is one of the oldest continuous businesses in the village.
Both a retail and wholesale artisan bakery, La Patisserie produces its own bread, pastries and 90 per cent of its own confectionaries which are then sold to pubs, shops, garages and residents in the local area.
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The bakery produces its own bread, pastries and confectionary everyday. Picture: Gary Johnson/La Patisserie
Current owner Gary Johnson of began working at the bakery when he was 19 after leaving an apprentice chef position at St Anne’s College.
When he was 30 Mr Johnson along with a business partner purchased the lease off his boss before going on to buy the actual premises on his own when he was 39.
Mr Johnson, of Blenheim Road in the village, has fully owned La Patisserie for 23 years and described it as something which has “been in my life, all my life”.
62-year-old Mr Johnson is now looking to sell the bakery as he is “looking forward to retiring”.
Gary Johnson has worked at the bakery since he was 19. Picture: Gary Johnson/La Patisserie
The 1800 sq ft business has already been on the market for 15 months and while Mr Johnson has had a couple of viewings there has not been “anything concrete”.
“I would like it to stay as a bakery but obviously it is getting harder and harder for the small business person at the moment. I do not want to let it go as not a bakery because our loyal customers love us and want us.
“It is a very, very good business and it is a shame that if I cannot sell it as a going concern I don’t know what it will be,” he explained.
Loyal customers will be "gutted" if the business ceases to be a bakery. Picture: Gary Johnson/La Patisserie
He added there is a lot of “potential” to expand the wholesale element of the bakery and even expand the business model to include a café in the premises.
Mr Johnson said the La Patisserie is a “staple” of Kidlington given its longevity in the village and said locals would be upset if the business were to change into something else.
“I think they would be gutted because we have been in Kidlington since 1966.
“There is O'Gormans and Tileright but besides them I do not know of any other business in Kidlington that has been running as long.”
If you are interested in taking over La Patisserie you can reach Mr Johnson on graceful1234@icloud.com
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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry
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