A popular business has confirmed it is closing in two weeks after decades of service to a town.

The Mascot Bakery in Herne Bay will trade for the last time on Saturday, May 20, after 25 years of ownership by married couple Michael and Karen Rose.

The pair announced last summer they were selling the business as their ages advanced.

It is thought to have been trading from the same shop premises at William Street since the 1950s.

A post on the bakery’s Facebook page yesterday said: “Our last day will be Saturday 20th May before we close the doors.

“We know a lot of you have very special memories of the Mascot Bakery, it’s always so nice seeing individuals come in and reminisce, so it will be a sad day for all. But I think after 42 years of baking, Mike definitely deserves a rest!

“Up until that date we will be open as usual.”

Last July, the couple told KentOnline they were putting the business, which welcomes hundreds of customers a day, on the market.

They explained they were selling up because they were getting older – Mr Rose was then 60 and Mrs Rose 57.

They said they were able to cope well with competition from large supermarkets opening branches near them, believing there was always a place for small bakeries.

By last year ,The Mascot was advertised as having annual turnovers of almost £120,000.

Mr Rose had been a bread-maker for almost two decades, with experience at Dunns in the High Street and Beach Street’s Safeway, before taking on The Mascot Bakery in 1998 with his wife.