INDEPENDENT baking will return to Crosby this Easter following the news that one of the famous Satterthwaites stores will reopen.

Husband and wife team Jon and Sarah Wills have taken over the former Satterthwaites’ bakery on Coronation Road with the hope of opening by the end of March.

Mr Wills, 42, who moved back to Crosby last year after working in London for 16 years, said: “This is a really exciting, once in a lifetime, opportunity.

“We have started work on renovating the bakery and will be providing a seating area as part of the redevelopment.”

Over a century of baking history ended in October 2012 when Satterthwaites closed its doors.

The family business – which began in Southport in 1910 – was forced to shut its seven stores across Crosby and Bootle and hand the keys over to administrators after failing to find a buyer.

Mr Wills, who grew up in Crosby said: “It was so sad when Satterthwaites closed.

“I had big memories of new year’s eve parties tucking into their pies.”

The couple, who live in Blundellsands with their three children, currently run a Cheshire-based bakery and village shop.

Mr Wills said: “We are not trying to copy Satterthwaites but take their best bits and combine them with the best bits of our business.

“We have purchased the original pie making equipment so pork pies will be back on the menu as will the Bavarian slices.

“We will be re-creating the pies in all their hand made, locally sourced pork glory.”

They will also be employing some of Satterthwaites’ former staff. Mr Wills added: “The staff at Satterthwaites were really proud of their products and we intend to keep that pride alive.”

The bakery will also create an ‘open’ bakehouse so customers can see and smell their products being made.

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