Overview

• All remaining Bennetts Family Bakers branches in Winton, Southbourne and Parkstone shut their doors on July 5.
• In a statement shared July 6, the Bennett family expressed gratitude to long-serving staff and loyal customers.
• The decision came after Mrs. Margaret Bennett entered a care home and her son David Bennett reached retirement age while managing health issues.
• Founded by Claude Bennett in 1953, the bakery had been run by three generations on Dorset’s high streets.
• The closure underscores the difficulty independent retailers face as they contend with rising energy and labor costs and shifting consumer habits.