A popular family-run bakery in the heart of Hythe is up for sale.

Tilley’s Bakery has gone on the market after six years under the current ownership.

Joanne Fitzgerald made the decision to sell the business to spend more time with her family.

Daily Echo: Inside Tilley's Bakery Inside Tilley's Bakery (Image: Christie & Co)She said: “It’s been wonderful to run this thriving village bakery for the past six years.

“The staff are exceptional, they work incredibly hard in a very busy environment and have a great rapport with the customers.

“But the time has come to pass the business onto someone new as grandmother duties are calling.”

It offers a variety of freshly baked cakes, bread and pasties, and also features a popular sandwich bar.

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The bakery has been serving sweet treats to residents from Hythe and the surrounding areas for 35 years - continuing the building's longstanding tradition of being used for baking.

According to Tilley's website, Wilkins the Bakers previously occupied the site until the late 1960s when the company closed.

Ex-employee Alan Richards bought the lease and opened Tilley's in 1988.

It was named after Alan's wife Heather, nicknamed Tilley. Six members of their family worked in the bakery before Alan decided to sell up shop after nearly 30 years.

The business was then bought by Joanne and Wayne FitzGerald.

Following a refit which forced the bakery to close for a short amount of time, Tilley's was re-launched in May 2017.

Specialist hotel property adviser, Christie & Co, has brought to market Tilley’s Bakery.

Business agent Oliver Guppy said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to take over a village bakery with a long-standing history and strong customer base in the community.

“The business has been expertly run for the past 35 years but still offers a new owner plenty of room to grow, with scope to add a new variety of goods and catering services.

“Having been fully renovated only six years ago, the bakery is perfectly poised to be handed to a new owner who is keen to take the business forward, down the already successful path it has been on for many years.”