Popular Sheffield artisan bakery forced to shut down after ‘first confirmed Covid case’

Forge Bakehouse on Abbeydale Road said they are currently working with reduced staff and they will inform their customers of their plan for the week.

The shop, however, will remain open until 2pm today.

The news, which was posted on their Facebook page, read: “We now have our first confirmed case, and because of the NHS advice on contraction dates, it means we are now suddenly without more staff than we thought.

"For now we are open until 2pm today only. Once we know more we will make a plan for the week.

“Please meet your FOH (front of house) team for today, my mother, and Jane, a pastry chef, neither who have worked in the shop before. Please be kind and be patient.”

Earlier today before the confirmed case was made known, the bakery told their customers that they would have a “massive change of service this week” while they run on a skeleton staff.

“We hope you understand our desire to be cautious, all remaining staff are taking regular lateral flow tests and we are confident that they are not contacts of the likely case because we work in teams and separately.”

Forge Bakehouse is famous for its sourdough bakery, patisserie and cafe and it is located in the Antiques Quarter of Sheffield

Normally, it is open seven days a week and they can also be found at Sheffield Train Station every Friday from 2-6pm.