A popular bakery is back on the market as new owners are sought to take over the business.

Tilley’s Bakery is a family-run business that has been serving the residents of Hythe with sweet and savoury treats for 36 years.

Wayne and Joanne FitzGerald took over the business in 2017 but are now trying to sell the award-winning bakery to enjoy other pursuits.

The pair spent £60,000 on refurbishing the premises when it was under their ownership.

The bakery first went on the market with property specialist Christie & Co in October 2023 with an asking price of £150,000, and a landlord willing to renew the lease.

More than a year later, the bakery is back on the market for a leasehold price of £125,000.

(Image: Christie & Co) The bakery is split across two floors, with the ground floor offering a “modern” window display area, a “well-presented counter” and matching sandwich bar.

A fully equipped main bakery is located at the rear of the property at The Marsh, while upstairs offers a storage area, office and toilets.

Tilley’s sells a wide variety of cakes, pastries, savoury items, bread and sandwiches, as well as catering for large orders.

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Oliver Guppy, business agent at Christie & Co said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to take over a village bakery with a long-standing history in the community.

“It has been expertly run for the past 36 years, with a large core of local repeat business buying on a daily basis.

"With a wide variety of products, it caters to a variety of customers, but still has room to grow with the potential addition of new varieties of goods and catering services.

“Having been fully renovated only six years ago, it is perfectly poised to be handed to a new owner that will continue down the already successful path it has been on for many years.”

Wayne previously told the Echo visiting the bakery is a “daily pilgrimage” for customers.

He said: "It would be a real shame to see it go.

"There's a great opportunity for a baker or two to either join the Tilley’s team or take it on with our full support.

"It would make a very lucrative venture for a baker and his wife."