Stradbroke Bakery rises to challenge during crisis

A businessman has seen a return to traditional buying habits since the coronavirus outbreak began – with record sales at his village shop.

Duane Adams, who runs Stradbroke Bakery in Queen Street, compared the rise in sales of freshly-made bread and confectionery to what he and his business experienced some 30 years ago.

He said: “Even though we have lost about 25 per cent of our wholesale business, with cafes and other places closing very early on during the lockdown, we have still experienced an unpredictable upturn in sales.

“We have made record figures, with people turning to local shops again instead of supermarket queues.”

Mr Adams said his wholesale customers have been buying three or four times the amount of items than normal, while demand for flour has sky-rocketed during the pandemic.

He said: “Our delivery vans have been going out six days a week and the amount of business in the shop has been parallel to when the village was snowed in about two years ago.”

The business, which has been in Stradbroke since 1790, has had to adapt by putting in a shop counter screen, while also asking its bakers and confectioners to work changing shift patterns to ensure they follow government guidelines.

Mr Adams said: “We are unique here, so we have been able to change things around quite easily, but I am sure bakeries with many branches have had issues in adapting.

“Our sales here are starting to level out again, but I do hope some people stick to buying local.

“It is nice to be needed and seeing people come together to help local businesses.”