End of an Era: Beloved Glastonbury Bakery Ditches Iconic Iced Buns
A Bittersweet Goodbye for Somerset’s Sweet Staple
For the first time in four decades, customers walking into Burns the Bread across Glastonbury, Street, Wells, Somerton, and Castle Cary will find shelves noticeably empty of one iconic treat. The multi-award-winning family-run bakery has announced it’s discontinuing its traditional iced buns—a decision that’s left countless locals and loyal customers genuinely heartbroken. The announcement came via social media, with the bakery stating the choice arrived with “heavy hearts and slightly sticky fingers.” What makes this farewell particularly poignant is that iced buns represent more than just a snack for many South West residents; they’re wrapped up in childhood memories, school lunch boxes, and generational comfort food traditions. The pillowy bread rolls crowned with generous white icing have been a constant in the region’s bakery culture since the 1980s. Manager Casey Stoddart acknowledged the difficult reality: customer demand has simply evaporated. A decade ago, the bakery was shifting approximately 400 iced buns daily across all locations. Today, that figure has plummeted to just 50 buns per day—a staggering 87% decline that made continuing production economically unviable for the business.
Understanding Why Tastes Have Changed in Our Communities
The discontinuation reflects broader shifts in what our communities actually want from their local bakeries. As Stoddart explained, “People’s tastes have changed, they are much more sophisticated now. We need to cater for what most people want.” This isn’t simply about nostalgia versus modern preferences—it’s about how consumer behaviour evolves over generations. What our grandparents queued for during post-war Britain of the 1950s no longer excites contemporary shoppers browsing bakery counters. Interestingly, Burns the Bread made a revealing discovery during National Doughnut Week earlier this month: customers barely noticed the iced buns’ temporary absence, suggesting the product had already faded from many people’s minds. The bakery’s decision mirrors similar moves across the UK. In 2017, Greggs—the nation’s most ubiquitous bakery chain—quietly discontinued iced buns from its 2,000-plus outlets, sparking considerable public outcry. One devoted customer even launched a parliamentary petition demanding reinstatement, though it managed only 69 signatures. These trends suggest that while iced buns hold cherished places in British culinary heritage, their actual commercial relevance has diminished significantly. Modern consumers are increasingly seeking artisanal products, healthier options, and contemporary flavours.
What This Means for Local Bakery Culture and Community Action
Burns the Bread’s decision raises important questions about how we support independent, family-run businesses that have served our communities for generations. While the bakery is discontinuing iced buns, it’s actively redirecting those resources toward products with stronger customer demand—ensuring the business remains viable and continues operating across our five towns. For nostalgic customers feeling genuinely devastated by this loss, the advice from bakery management is clear: support your local independent bakeries and try their newer offerings. Whether you’re visiting Newquay for a seaside break at Fistral Beach or enjoying dog friendly accommodation across Devon and Cornwall, remember that local bakeries are treasured community institutions worthy of support. Social media responses have been passionate, with some customers mourning the loss while others confessed they’d never particularly enjoyed the treats anyway. One observation described iced buns as “just a hot dog bun with icing on top.” The broader lesson here concerns how consumer preferences shape what our neighbourhood businesses can sustainably offer. If there’s a product you genuinely value from your local bakery, make your voice heard—purchase regularly, recommend it to friends, and engage with their social media. Community businesses thrive when residents actively support them, transforming casual customers into committed patrons who help shape their futures.
Source: Popular Glastonbury bakery chain ditches iconic item after 43 years
