Independent businesses rally around new chain in Oxfordshire town

The bakery, located on the Market Square, is part of a wider collection of more than 80 bakeries across the UK.

The company, known for sweet pastries and their Cornish pasties, has experienced some outrage from the local community.

However, businesses have rallied around the bakery.

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Cornish Bakery in Witney (Image: NIGEL CHAPMAN PHOTOGRAPHY)

The Shake & Sweet Shop Witney, said: “We have seen many negative comments on lots of other sites.

“To anyone saying ‘not another coffee shop’, it really is so much better for our town than an empty boarded up shop.

“For those saying they would rather it was an independent, we understand that, but a really good thriving town is a mix of both independent and chains and you would need to be very brave to open up an independent business in today’s climate. Chains also attract people.

“For anyone suggesting a certain type of shop, you could always have a go!”

Some residents argued the coffee shop and bakery is not needed in the area.

Rudy Bartolozzi said: “Just another overpriced cake shop posing as a bakery.”

Others have already complained about the price of the bakery, with a pastel de nata costing £2.65, and the fact the shop has limited Gluten Free options.

Cornish Bakery in Witney (Image: NIGEL CHAPMAN PHOTOGRAPHY)

Witney Food Revolution, a community action group, said: “We’re especially delighted that The Cornish Bakery has chosen to support the local community from day one, joining Witney Food Revolution as our brand-new surplus partner.

“A huge thank you to the team for inviting us to be part of such a special day and for making WFR part of your Witney story from the very beginning.”

Cornish Bakery’s launch of their new store comes amid a spate of high street closures across Oxfordshire and the rest of the UK.