Oddies

[Devils_Advocate]

Long time since I've had an Oddies but the equivalent in Leeds is a bakery called Greggs and its pretty good and reasonably priced

[dsr]

If Wild's were interested in expanding, it would seem like a pretty good fit. Oddie's eastern boundary is Colne, Wild's western boundary is Colne (or perhaps Barrowford) , so they could perhaps take over the shops if they were so minded. I doubt they would need the bakery.

But a case in point - Wild's pork pies are 40p cheaper than Oddie's, and perhaps a fraction bigger. And every bit as good.

Oddie's were finished when they stopped making meringues!

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Ever decreasing circles for them for years unfortunately. Whacking the prices up to ridiculous levels for the remaining and loyal customers they had until they in turn then stopped going. They've been taking the Micheal for years and this was always going to happen

The last time I went in one was the Coal Clough Lane one in Burnley about 2 years ago as I was getting dinner while we were out and about , 2 buttys and 2 cakes came close to £13 , that's absolutely ridiculous imo

[Taffy on the wing]

Long time since I've had an Oddies but the equivalent in Leeds is a bakery called Greggs and its pretty good and reasonably priced

Nice cast!

[CaptJohn]

Always sad to see a small independent close down. It's a loss to the local community because they are slowly losing the ability to choose something different, from that on offer from the large multinationals. I personally have only half eaten an offering from Gregg's. The other half went in the bin suffice to say.

[Benson]

Long time since I've had an Oddies but the equivalent in Leeds is a bakery called Greggs and its pretty good and reasonably priced

It’s better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you’re a moron than to open it and remove all doubt.

[firstclaret]

I’m devastated!

[Claret knight]

Their wine slices were something else until they were told to stop making them

[Leon_C]

The holy trinity.

Pork and pepper roll.
New Yorker sandwich
Bilberry Charlotte.

I mean, the above costs around £12, but for lunchtime flavour and quality, it can't be beaten.

Sad that Oddies is likely to fold, but they simply weren't competitive on price, regardless of how good the food was.

[DCWat]

If Wild's were interested in expanding, it would seem like a pretty good fit. Oddie's eastern boundary is Colne, Wild's western boundary is Colne (or perhaps Barrowford) , so they could perhaps take over the shops if they were so minded. I doubt they would need the bakery.

But a case in point - Wild's pork pies are 40p cheaper than Oddie's, and perhaps a fraction bigger. And every bit as good.

Oddie's were finished when they stopped making meringues!

I’d assumed that they might be shrinking rather than looking to expand. Used to have them in Bingley, Shipley and Bradford, but can only think of one in Keighley these days.

[Jakubclaret]

I’d assumed that they might be shrinking rather than looking to expand. Used to have them in Bingley, Shipley and Bradford, but can only think of one in Keighley these days.

Earby & barnoldswick have a wilds. Going down that route hope oddies is revived.

[BurnleyFC]

Ever decreasing circles for them for years unfortunately. Whacking the prices up to ridiculous levels for the remaining and loyal customers they had until they in turn then stopped going. They've been taking the Micheal for years and this was always going to happen

The last time I went in one was the Coal Clough Lane one in Burnley about 2 years ago as I was getting dinner while we were out and about , 2 buttys and 2 cakes came close to £13 , that's absolutely ridiculous imo

I must be a sucker because I don’t think those prices are too unreasonable.

Try and get a large coffee and a cake in Starbucks and it’s north of a tenner.

[Rileybobs]

I must be a sucker because I don’t think those prices are too unreasonable.

Try and get a large coffee and a cake in Starbucks and it’s north of a tenner.

Same. £6.50 for a sandwich and a cake is pretty reasonable I would say. How would you expect a bakery to charge less and make a reasonable profit with decent quality?

[MrTopTier]

The Pump Bakery Suffolk is selling 6 mince pies for £25

Get Baked in the NQ in Manchester is selling a slice of chocolate cake for £17.

Makes Oddies sound reasonable.

People will always give local businesses a shot, but they also know when those businesses are taking the p.

[Dyched]

Might be taking the ****. But I also think some take the **** the other way. There’s a pie maker mentioned already on this thread selling pies at £2 a piece. To me that’s taking the **** as well. Nobody is making a pie with decent produce and selling at £2. Whilst we are getting a bit better, generally when it comes to food we as a nation have terrible standards. We are more of a price comes first before quality sort country. I don’t talk for everyone but that’s generally what I’ve found. When there are places out there trying to do the right thing it’s so incredibly hard to compete whist places are selling products so cheaply.

What I’m getting at is that in a place like Burnley. A crap quality pie for £2 would sell far more than a great quality pie at £5. Those wanting to make quality products simply can’t sustain it.

[Burnley1989]

Might be taking the ****. But I also think some take the **** the other way. There’s a pie maker mentioned already on this thread selling pies at £2 a piece. To me that’s taking the **** as well. Nobody is making a pie with decent produce and selling at £2. Whilst we are getting a bit better, generally when it comes to food we as a nation have terrible standards. We are more of a price comes first before quality sort country. I don’t talk for everyone but that’s generally what I’ve found. When there are places out there trying to do the right thing it’s so incredibly hard to compete whist places are selling products so cheaply.

What I’m getting at is that in a place like Burnley. A crap quality pie for £2 would sell far more than a great quality pie at £5. Those wanting to make quality products simply can’t sustain it.

I always say the same to the Mrs, if you're paying £2-3 for a burger, think of how poor the quality must be if they're turning a profit.

[Clarets4me]

Bill Oddie (the baker) was a great bloke to work for, looked after his staff and was very approachable. Well linked in rugby and cricket circles, not sure if the Eli comment about only playing because he brought the cakes was tongue in cheek, knowing him it probably was, but I seem to remember Bil playing well into his 50s for Reedley and a Nelson Leader comment about him getting better with age, like a fine red wine.

I knew Bill Oddie slightly through Rugby circles, with me being a member at Blackburn RUFC since 1979, and him being a former player there, where he had many friends. He did a lot of work at Calder Vale RUFC ( Now Burnley RUFC ) over the years. A lovely man ...

Around 1982 and long before we met, Mrs " Clarets4me " ( then aged 21 ) had won a Bass Brewery " Beauty pageant ", which along with a 2 week holiday and £300 Prize, entailed certain commitments, one of which was presenting the prizes at Calder Vale's " Annual Dinner ". She arrived at 10pm as requested, and from behind the scenes, saw a group of around 100 men, most of whom were " over-refreshed " ... Bill sensed her nervousness and called for silence, and addressed the room along these lines ..

" Gentlemen, we are fortunate enough a lovely young lady here to help present our trophies this evening. I request you to accord her the same respect that you would expect others to show your wife, girlfriend or sister in the same circumstances. Thank you ! "

Apart from a couple of wolf-whistles, everything went smoothly and she left with a bottle of Champagne presented to her by Bill, and him insisting on paying for her Taxi back to her parent's house in Rosegrove ... She's never forgotten his thoughtfulness ...

[Guppyspotter]

It must be 40 years + since I had anything from there. The one item I remember was an eclair shaped meringue type thing with chocolate on both ends and some form of chocolate cream filling, might even have had some sliced almonds on the chocolate ends but it was decades ago. My grandmother worked at Scotland Road Post Office and always treated us when we visited her. Anyone able to name the item?

[Claretforever]

That’s all a shame. I like their cheese pasties. If I’m being honest though, their sandwiches are bloody expensive for what you get. They’re tiny!

[Eloise Laws]

Sad to think a business that’s been trading in the area for around 120 years is seeing the writing on the wall. Yes compared to some bakeries they are more expensive, but for me the produce is quality, there are quite a few items that this house is going to miss. I think they have struggled since Covid, hence shorter opening hours and less choice on some things. I feel for the employees whose jobs are now on line. Hopefully a buyer can be found, even if it means streamlining the outfit, some ‘Oddies’ is better than no Oddies imo.

[Rowls]

Best egg custards at Oddies too. Nobody else makes them better.

[Stevie2112]

It must be 40 years + since I had anything from there. The one item I remember was an eclair shaped meringue type thing with chocolate on both ends and some form of chocolate cream filling, might even have had some sliced almonds on the chocolate ends but it was decades ago. My grandmother worked at Scotland Road Post Office and always treated us when we visited her. Anyone able to name the item?

The item you are referring to,was called a Progress Finger.

[Dazzler]

What I’m getting at is that in a place like Burnley. A crap quality pie for £2 would sell far more than a great quality pie at £5.

Please, could you inform us what that "crap quality pie" is made of?

[Dyched]

Please, could you inform us what that "crap quality pie" is made of?

No I idea, I don’t make them. Doubt the makers even know tbh.

[Dazzler]

No I idea, I don’t make them. Doubt the makers even know tbh.

Who makes them?

[Herts Clarets]

Please, could you inform us what that "crap quality pie" is made of?

A look on the ingredients wrapper of a Pukka pie will give you all the information you need .....

[Dyched]

Who makes them?

They’re mentioned on this thread. I don’t wanna dig then out blatantly. But a bit of research will show the real truth of what places like Oddies have to try and compete against.

[Dazzler]

A look on the ingredients wrapper of a Pukka pie will give you all the information you need .....

Poison?

[Dazzler]

They’re mentioned on this thread. I don’t wanna dig then out blatantly. But a bit of research will show the real truth of what places like Oddies have to try and compete against.

Would you strongly advise folk not to try one of these "crap quality pies"?

[Elizabeth]

It’s a real shame that Oddies have got to this place. Always recognised as the quality shop over the likes of Greggs and the pound bakeries

[Guppyspotter]

The item you are referring to,was called a Progress Finger.

Thank you Steve. Do they still make them?

[Dyched]

Would you strongly advise folk not to try one of these "crap quality pies"?

Given after I replied earlier I googled them and in the top 4/5 searches came a link to the food hygiene rating I wouldn’t be having one put it that way.

[Stevie2112]

Thank you Steve. Do they still make them?

No,haven't made them in years sorry.

[Clarets4me]

They still make Eclairs, Bilberry and Apple Charlottes, Vanilla Slices, Egg Custards, Apple & Bilberry tarts as well as assorted buns, gingerbread, fig slices etc. Pies are still excellent as is the " Savoury ", Pork and pepper roll and their sausage rolls. Since Covid, they haven't offered " bespoke " sandwiches, but all of the pre-made sandwiches are assembled each morning by the staff in each shop on rolls baked fresh that morning ... As for food hygiene ratings, I've never seen a rating less than 5/5 in any Oddie's shop ...

It's a crying shame ..

[Nonayforever]

Oddies produce quality products at reasonable prices, the problem that they have is the location of their shops.
If their shops were located in Barrowford, Colne, Whalley & Clitheroe etc then I doubt they would be having the current problems.
Selling Rolls Royce cars in Stoneyholme would be an uphill task for anybody.

[Burnley1989]

Oddies produce quality products at reasonable prices, the problem that they have is the location of their shops.
If their shops were located in Barrowford, Colne, Whalley & Clitheroe etc then I doubt they would be having the current problems.
Selling Rolls Royce cars in Stoneyholme would be an uphill task for anybody.

Ahh I don't know, I'm sure there would be a good rental market, there's a great race track that runs through the middle.

[AlargeClaret]

A real shame a local independent baker of such long standing can’t turn a profit . Though the margins are poor on bread products and the supermarkets have slowly killed off these smaller bakeries . If people knew what went in a £2 pie they might think about their penny pinching that’s for sure . But there’s was a high-ish price point , locations were pretty poor, stores rooted in the early 90’s , and I’d hazard the minimum wage increase etc was a final nail in a long slow death rattle .

[clarets1978]

Ahh I don't know, I'm sure there would be a good rental market, there's a great race track that runs through the middle.

There's no race track going through Stoneyholme these days with those silly S type traffic calming things going the full length of Danehouse Rd. Can take forever to get through if you catch them at the wrong end of priority. Probably end up getting car jacked with a Rolls Royce

[Dazzler]

Given after I replied earlier I googled them and in the top 4/5 searches came a link to the food hygiene rating I wouldn’t be having one put it that way.

Am I right to assume you have 'rubbished' a pie that you have never sampled yourself?

[ClaretTony]

I’ve just called in and got a loaf and a custard.

[Herts Clarets]

I’ve just called in and got a loaf and a custard.

My first job when I started at Oddies in 1984 was doing the egg custards, I can still smell the nutmeg I used to sprinkle across the top of them before they went into the oven. Meant a 5:30 start Mon-Thurs and 5:00 Fri and Saturday in place of the 6:00 and 5:30 for the rest of the department.

[Dyched]

Am I right to assume you have 'rubbished' a pie that you have never sampled yourself?

100% correct.

1 star food hygiene rating.

[ClaretTony]

My first job when I started at Oddies in 1984 was doing the egg custards, I can still smell the nutmeg I used to sprinkle across the top of them before they went into the oven. Meant a 5:30 start Mon-Thurs and 5:00 Fri and Saturday in place of the 6:00 and 5:30 for the rest of the department.

No one does a custard better

[Claretitus]

[quote="Herts Clarets" post_id=2451135 time=<a href="tel:1732188597">1732188597</a> user_id=118]
My first job when I started at Oddies in 1984 was doing the egg custards, I can still smell the nutmeg I used to sprinkle across the top of them before they went into the oven. Meant a 5:30 start Mon-Thurs and 5:00 Fri and Saturday in place of the 6:00 and 5:30 for the rest of the department.

No one does a custard better
[/quote]

They don’t. The custard consistency is spot on, just a hint of sweetness to that lovely pastry, and the right amount of nutmeg on top. Perfection.

[Dazzler]

100% correct.

1 star food hygiene rating.

Could you point me in the right direction to this alleged hygiene rating?

The pie makers mentioned are Pukka & Haffners, who appear to have at least a good hygiene rating.

[wilks_bfc]

Could you point me in the right direction to this alleged hygiene rating?

The pie makers mentioned are Pukka & Haffners, who appear to have at least a good hygiene rating.

The maker in question hasn’t been mentioned but I’m assuming it is a local baker with a shop in Queensgate and they do have a 1 star rating

[Dazzler]

The maker in question hasn’t been mentioned but I’m assuming it is a local baker with a shop in Queensgate and they do have a 1 star rating

Queensgate...enough said

[elwaclaret]

Traditional baking is always going to struggle with hygiene ratings compared to large scale operations where most of the process is automated. I’m still more comfortable when I can look the baker in the eye rather than buying a pie from a conglomerate that sources its ingredients by the cost per tonne.

[Falcon]

The maker in question hasn’t been mentioned but I’m assuming it is a local baker with a shop in Queensgate and they do have a 1 star rating

Why are we dancing around the name? Do you mean Mill Town Pies?

[Loyalclaret]

£5.60 for a large sausage and bacon tasty though