Emotions were bittersweet as a well-respected Dorset bakery closed its doors after 96 years. 

Williams the Bakery shut its bakery in Wool after nearly a century of baking on Christmas Eve.

As reported previously by the Echo, the Williams family made the decision earlier this year to move on from the businesses after owner Clive's death. 

At the time, they said: “It does concern us that the village will lose a long-standing shop and employer, but sometimes the right decision is not the easiest one.”

But there is some good news - another local businesses has taken on the shop, along with its staff. 

Jonathan Williams said: "While we are sad that the bakery itself will be closing after 96 years and three generations of trading we are pleased that we have been able to find a way to continue to operate the Dorset Flapjack Company for the foreseeable future.

"We are also thrilled that Neil is taking on the shop and will be able to continue to offer a valuable service to the residents of Wool and surrounding villages.

"It is bittersweet as we say goodbye to valued and loyal members of bakery staff and to a history of baking in Wool, but the knowledge that others jobs have been saved where possible and that there will remain a bakers shop in Wool is some comfort.

"We can only thank everyone who have been loyal supporters of Williams the Baker over the years."

The bakery was first opened by Lionel Willliams in 1927 and has remained a family business ever since.

He handed the reins to his son Edward in 1961, with Edward’s son Clive joining the business in 1976, straight from bakery college.

Clive ran the bakery supported for a long time by his late wife Rosemary until his own untimely and unexpected death in June of this year.

Williams the Bakery once had shops in Weymouth, Dorchester, Swanage and Wareham.

Jonathan Williams, Clive’s son, said: “The demand for more traditional baking has been in decline for some time and like many small retail businesses the pressure of the supermarkets and large national chains have combined with testing economic pressures to make sustaining a small business very difficult.”