Sad day as Three Cooks closes

A part of Stafford's town centre heritage died when a popular bakers shop and cafe closed its door for the last time.

Staff poured out their last teas and coffees and made their last bacon sandwiches at the Three Cooks in Greengate Street on Saturday.

The shop and cafe has been serving cakes, buns and breakfast for well over 30-years but became the victim of cutbacks when the high street bakery chain went into administration. New owners Cooks the Bakery announced that 250 jobs were to be axed and 37 shops closed.

Stafford was one of those deemed unprofitable and staff were told last month it was to shut for good.

Manager Shirley Butler has been running the shop for 12-years and was one of the two full time and five part time staff to be made redundant.

"I am very sad to be leaving such a good bunch of girls," she said.

Shirley, at 55, and from Stafford, has decided to retire and become "a lady of leisure."

Her assistant manager, Leanne Spear, aged 25, was equally upset. "I sarted here at the age of 15 as a Saturday assistant," she said. "I have loved working at the Three Cooks."