A BUSINESS in Reading looks set to close down one of its main ventures after its FOURTH break-in in as many years.
The Wolseley Street Bakery, a bakery which also serves coffee and pastries from a van in Tilehurst, is discontinuing the service following the latest in a line of break-ins.
The bakery’s mobile service began just over two years ago, operating in the car park at Tilehurst train station, and has been the subject of four forced entries since.
Reading residents supported the bakery with a community fundraiser back in December 2022, raising more than £1,200 when it was damaged over night just months after it was taken over.
Now it has been targeted again in what the owner, Davy Bonte, has said is the most damaging yet.
He posted to the bakery’s social media pages on Monday, January 8, to say say that it would be closed today following the break-in.
A subsequent post explained that the van would be closing for good, as thieves have made off with both the coffee machine and coffee grinder, at a value of thousands of pounds.
Mr Bonte says that it has come time to cut his losses for the mobile part of the business.
“The first time, I was shocked, but things happen, so I got on with it– the second time was more painful because they took stock, so I added metal bars and sheets to the sides and doors.
“The third time, they damaged the van trying to get in, this time, they’ve gone in with an angle-grinder.
“They cut through the back padlock, through the hinges of the door, and have got it, made a mess, and stolen the coffee machine and grinder.”
He explains that this time has seen the biggest hit to the business.
“Those are the things that actually make the money, and the machines are worth about £8,000, so I’m going to have to get rid of the van.
“It means I’m losing a lot of revenue while I’m trying to grow a business.”
He started his bakery business after working for 20 years as a chef, beginning in 2019, and purchased the van for upcycling shortly after.
“So I’m going to have to go in a different way– I’ll need a shop or something bigger, perhaps where I can hold events and things like that.”
Previously having run the kitchen at The Lido as head chef, Mr Bonte went on to create his own business bringing French food to a number of venues and events from his home kitchen, including the Shed and Reading Biscuit Factory.
He also created a mystery box service during lockdown in 2020, working with fellow local chefs to create patisserie delivery boxes to residents.
In the social media posts, Mr. Bonte explained that insurance would not cover the costs to repair and replace what was stolen and broken, and so he would be “cutting [his] losses.”
He also thanked customers and the community for their support during the last few years.
The Wolseley Street Bakery continues to offer cakes, pastries, and deli food from its store in Wolseley Street, Coley.
More information about the bakery is available via: wolseleystreetbakery.co.uk
