Copyright newsletter
The smell of fresh scones and warm bread drifting down Bangor’s Church Street will soon become just a memory. After 18 years at the heart of the seaside town, The Singing Kettle Bakery has announced it will permanently close later this month — a decision that has left both its owner and loyal customers heartbroken. Founder Wesley Nelson shared the emotional decision with the community today (Thursday), citing the ongoing challenges of rising costs, low foot traffic, adding ‘sadly, the reality is that small businesses like ours just can’t keep up anymore’. In a heartfelt post on social media, Wes explained: “After 18 amazing years, it breaks my heart to say that The Singing Kettle Bakery will be closing permanently. Our final day of trading will be Saturday 15th November 2025 (8am–4pm). “This has been an incredibly hard decision to make, but after listening to my family and friends — and thinking seriously about my health after years of working long, exhausting hours — I know it’s time to put myself first." Mr Nelson, who established The Singing Kettle Bakery in Bangor in 2007, expanded the business with two more stores in 2021 and 2024. However, despite early optimism, the chain struggled to recover from declining customer numbers and soaring costs. The Ballyree Drive branch closed earlier this year after only three years of trading, and the High Street shop followed suit last month. Reflecting on the challenges, Wes continued: “Sadly, the reality is that small businesses like ours just can’t keep up anymore. Footfall in Bangor has dropped dramatically, and with more people choosing the convenience of garages, we simply can’t compete. On top of that, the cost of ingredients and materials has more than doubled over the past few years. We’ve kept our prices as low as possible to stay fair to our customers, but it’s no longer sustainable. “We had such hope during Covid when queues were down the street and people from all over discovered us — it felt amazing to be recognised for what we do. That hope encouraged us to expand, but not long after, costs spiralled out of control. "We tried everything to keep going — closing our baking unit, then our Ballyree Drive store in March, and our High Street shop in September — but it just hasn’t been enough.” Wes ended his message with an emotional note of thanks: “To all our loyal customers who’ve supported us day after day, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your smiles, chats, and kindness have meant more than words can say. You’ve been the reason I’ve kept going all these years. “But for once, I need to think about myself. Running a small business these days is incredibly tough, and doing everything on your own while barely managing to pay yourself just isn’t possible anymore. “Thank you all so much for 18 wonderful years of memories, laughter, and support. You’ve made The Singing Kettle what it is, and I’ll always be grateful for that. “Hopefully see youse all up until 15th November 2025 (our last trading day). Thanks very much for your custom.” The announcement prompted an outpouring of support online, with more than 260 comments within the first hour, as customers shared fond memories, gratitude, and great sadness at the news.
