Bakery celebrates 75 years of Rotherham bread and cakes

AFTER serving up loads of loaves and countless cakes, a bakery celebrated 75 years in business by turning back the clock to wartime days.

Staff at Parkgate-based Staniforths donned Land Army outfits to mark the big occasion and hark back to 1939, when the company was founded by John Frederick “Jack” Staniforth.

Jack’s granddaughter Lindsay, who is a director of the business, said: “Our shop girls dressed up in 1940s wear — they decorated the shops and we sold a selection of different products for 75p.

“The customers all seemed to love it and the shop girls enjoyed doing something different.

“I think it’s a great achievement to reach being in business for 75 years and something that’s worth celebrating.

“I am very proud of the company and its heritage and want to thank all our workforce for helping us to achieve 75 years.”

Jack Staniforth returned to Rotherham in 1939 after living in Scarborough and discovered his family’s old bakery was empty. He relaunched the business the following year.

Jack’s sons Peter and Jim took over in 1955, first selling fresh goods door to door, before opening more shops.

Peter’s wife Aline and Jim’s wife Eileen joined the business and helped it expand to Barnsley, Sheffield and elsewhere in Rotherham.

The catering side of the company also grew, with Staniforths becoming a household name for outside catering.

In the 1970s, Peter’s children Stephen Staniforth and Dianne Moorcroft and Jim’s son Ian Staniforth joined the business, while his daughter Lindsay (now Lindsay Hans) joined a number of years later.

In 1981, the company expanded by taking over local bakers Steels.

Stephen, Ian and Lindsay are now directors, while Dianne retired last year.