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Harrogate bakery reveals reasons behind 'heartbreaking' closure

Tuesday, 16 December 2025 12:59

Kelly Days, the owner of Sunflower Bakery in Harrogate.

A popular Harrogate bakery has revealed the reasons behind the 'heartbreaking' decision to close its doors.

Sunflower Bakery, which opened on Montpellier Parade in August 2024 following the success of its Boroughbridge bakery, revealed last week that it would be closing.

Owner Kelly Days has since revealed the reasons why, blaming significant increases in ingredient costs, higher staff costs and national insurance contributions following the April 2025 budget.

Kelly said she has also experienced a change of landlord, the unexpected closure of her Thirsk store and changes within her family itself.

Owner Kelly Days said:

“The love and support we have received since announcing our Harrogate closure has been astonishing and it just shows that you loved our beautiful cafe as much as we did.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, far from it but it was the right one.”

She added:

“It was time to restructure our family business and our Boroughbridge store remains open and our wholesale is full steam ahead.

“I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and in time it will be clear why.

“Right now though it stings and our hearts are a little bit broken. Our team is our main concern and doing everything we can to help them, especially at Christmas time.”

The business said health and family needed to take priority and that it would be taking time to reset and consider future plans.

While the Harrogate café has closed, Sunflower Bakery confirmed that its Boroughbridge shop remains open and its wholesale operations continue.

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