A MAN who has been running a bakery in Gwynedd for more than 60 years has decided to close his business due to the cost of living crisis, his son has said.

Martin Gardiner, 84, set up “Bryngwyn Bakery” in Llanrug in 1960, having moved to the village from Staffordshire in his mid-20s.

But the bakery will shut for good in November.

All seven of his children worked with him at the bakery at various points in time, with one of his sons, Robin, explaining his father’s decision.

Although Robin said he was saddened by rising costs almost forcing his father’s hand, he added his great pride in what Martin has achieved across more than half a century.

North Wales Chronicle: Martin Gardiner.Martin Gardiner. (Image: Robin Gardiner)

Robin said: ““He’s renowned throughout North Wales and Llanrug, providing the village with fresh bread, pasties and pies for the last 60 years.

“He met my mum at the bakery, and they had seven children together - all seven of us have worked there.

“He was going to carry on working for a few more years, but with the energy prices rising as they have done, he’s going to call it a day next month, before the cap kicks in.

“He was paying £90 a month for now, but for the business, he’d have been looking at something like £400 a month from mid-November onwards.

“Unless he wants to put Cornish pasties up from £2 to about £6, it’s just not going to be viable.”

Martin is the only person currently working at the bakery, though Robin recalled happy memories of making countless buns at Easter, with endless amounts of customers.

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He added: “He’s always been business-minded, and has always said that if the maths don’t add up, he’d call it a day, which is what he’s doing.

“We’re sad that it’s come to an end, but it’s just a shame that it’s come to an end due to the prices.

“We used to make thousands of hot cross buns over the Easter holidays, which was always a nice time.

“People would come for long weekends on their Easter break, so my dad would always be really busy in the bakery, packed to the rafters with customers. It was just a happy time of the year.”