What Is The Major Deal Behind The Historic Cooplands Bakery Chain Purchase In Yorkshire?

If you've ever grabbed a sausage roll or a cream cake in Yorkshire, you'll know Cooplands. It's one of those places that feels like it's been around forever. Well, there's some big news buzzing about this beloved bakery chain.

On 04 October 2025, the company announced a massive deal that feels a bit like a homecoming story. Essentially, the people running the show have bought the company themselves, bringing the ownership of this historic brand right back to its Yorkshire roots where it all began in 1885. It's a move that has got a lot of people talking, and for good reason.

Back to its roots: a proper Yorkshire homecoming

So, what's actually happened? The popular Yorkshire bakery chain, Cooplands, has been bought back from a larger company called EG Group. This wasn't just any sale, though. It was what's known as a 'management buyout'. Imagine the head chef and manager of your favourite restaurant deciding to buy the whole place themselves because they love it and know it better than anyone. That's pretty much what's gone on here. A team of local investors, who already have a deep knowledge of the business, have made the purchase. This is a pretty significant deal.

This new leadership team isn't short on experience. The deal was led by David Salkeld, who is stepping back into his old role as Chairman. Think of a chairman as the captain of the ship, steering the whole company in the right direction. And for a dose of proper history, he's being supported by Paul Coopland. Yes, a member of the original family that founded the bakery chain all those years ago. Paul is returning as a non-executive director, which is like having a wise advisor on board who isn't involved in the day-to-day grind but helps the main team make clever decisions. It's a fantastic nod to the brand's heritage, ensuring the original spirit of Cooplands, founded by Frederick and Alice Coopland, stays alive and well. This purchase really does feel like the brand is coming home.

A slice of history: more than just a bakery chain

To really get why this is such a big deal, you have to look back. Cooplands wasn't always a huge name with 154 shops dotted across the county. The story of this historic brand starts way back in 1885. It was founded by Frederick and Alice Coopland, not as a huge chain, but as a humble pork butcher and pie maker. For over 140 years, this family business grew, one perfect pie at a time. That's a seriously long time to be baking, and it's how a company builds a reputation for excellence. It's more than just 1 business; it's a legacy.

Today, the Cooplands bakery chain has many branches and employs more than 1,400 people. These colleagues are the ones serving up your daily treats, and they are a huge part of the company's success. This purchase is about securing the future for them just as much as it is about the pastries. The new team understands this responsibility. They have the knowledge of the brand, the people, and what the customers want. You can find more evidence of their commitment in the statements they've made about this important purchase. The pride is clear.

What's next on the menu for Cooplands?

So, what does this mean for the future of the brand? Will things change? According to the new boss, it's all about blending the old with the new. John Ruddock, the chief executive officer of Cooplands, made it clear how much this deal means to the whole team.

He said: "It is with genuine pride that we announce today's purchase, which brings Cooplands back under the management of a locally based team with strong and established knowledge of our organisation, our colleagues, suppliers and customers."

That quote says it all, really. The people in charge now are the ones who know the company inside out. They know the suppliers who provide the flour and the loyal customers who pop in every day. This local knowledge is something that can get lost when a big, faceless corporation is in charge. With this team, there's a real connection to the community and a deep-seated pride in the work.

John Ruddock also added:

"This gives us the opportunity to focus on strategic growth for the future, whilst preserving the traditional values and excellence for which the brand has been known and respected for over 140 years."

Breaking that down, it means they have big plans. 'Strategic growth' is business-speak for expanding and improving things - maybe we'll see more branches or new tasty creations. But, and this is the important bit, they're promising not to mess with the classics. The 'traditional values and excellence' means that the recipes and quality that people have loved for generations are safe. The team, led by Chairman David Salkeld, is committed to this vision. It's about ensuring that for the next 140 years, Cooplands remains a name people in Yorkshire can find and trust. This 1 deal aims to secure that future.