During the general strike of 1926, Alice Waterfield set up a small bakery in Mather Lane, Leigh, selling pies and confectionery to the local factory workers. As the reputation grew, so did business and soon her husband Albert joined Alice to work in the bakery. He left his job as a coal miner, after taking his qualifications in baking at Manchester Technical College where he studied at night after a day spent down the pit.
In 1931 the business moved to premises in Leigh Road, Leigh, which was then one of Leigh’s main shopping streets. The enterprising and hardworking couple took over two adjoining premises and by 1944 they were running three shops plus a popular restaurant over the bakery. The steady rate of expansion ensured there was never any compromise on the quality of products and service the family strived to deliver.
As trade flourished so did the involvement of the next generation. Daughter Hilda supervised the cake decorating department and later moved on to retail supervision. Albert jnr, who joined the firm in 1956 after army service, was later to become Managing Director in 1961, following the death of his father.
