04 Dec 2025
One of St Albans’ most-loved businesses is set to return with a new name just a few months after its shock closure, but does The Bakery Stop have what it takes to survive where The Pudding Stop failed?
Launched by former Bake-Off contestant Johnny Shepherd in 2011, The Pudding Stop began with one van – Penelope – in St Albans, before expanding to open premises in St Albans, Harpenden, Radlett and a bakery in Redbourn.
But in March 2024, Johnny made a desperate plea for support on social media. He said things were not going well, citing problems which had started during and after Covid – including interest rate increases, energy cost increases and inflation.
Meanwhile, he had already briefed staff that not only would they been working reduced hours to weather the storm, but long term the company was looking to rebrand as The Bakery Stop and sell a wider range of savoury goods alongside favourites sweet offerings.
All went quiet on these plans until September this year when it was suddenly announced on social media that The Pudding Stop had closed.
Johnny posted: “It’s no secret that the past few years have brought significant challenges, and throughout that time, we’ve worked tirelessly to keep The Pudding Stop going. It is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to close the business. As of this morning, all locations will remain closed until further notice. Thank you for your support and loyalty – it has meant the world to us.”
A follow-up statement added: “Sadly this means we have 30 employees now looking for a new job. Some have been with us for over 10 years.
“It is a devastating situation to be in. If you run a restaurant, a cafe, a deli, a bakery or any other local business and you’re looking for staff – I have a list of the best people you could ever employ. Bakers, baristas, shop team members, front of house, delivery drivers and more!”
Following the closure, the St Albans Times asked Johnny whether he was rebranding the business and staying in Christopher Place, as had been rumoured.
He responded: “I am not sure where you have heard that we are staying at CP [sic] or rebranding but that is not the case –as things stand we are closed in all locations and entering a liquidation process to close the company, with all employees having been made redundant.”
Although we offered him a platform at the time to answer questions about the closure, no further communication was received.
Details of The Pudding Stop’s outstanding debts were subsequently published on Companies House, and included liabilities of more than £624,000, including £127K to employees.
Things remained quiet until November 17, when a fresh social media post announced the business would be returning with an “experienced management team, fresh energy and a wider range of baked goods” and was actively recruiting for sweet and savoury bakers, baristas, shop managers and team members.
This included approaching former members of staff asking whether they would be interested in returning to work for the new company, which would be called The Bakery Stop.
The former Pudding Stop social media pages have since been changed to The Bakery Stop, although the previous “oven mitt” logo design remains. All of the assets of the old business have also been purchased by The Bakery Stop, with leases negotiated for all of the former premises apart from Radlett.
Meanwhile, a new company called RFM Shepherd Ltd, of which Johnny was a named director, was incorporated on October 10. On November 21 its registered address was changed from a location in Hemel Hempstead to 2 Redbourn Industrial Centre – former home of The Pudding Stop.
It is expected that the first of the new Bakery Stops will open for business in Redbourn at the end of the week, with Harpenden and St Albans to follow in the New Year.
The St Albans Times reached out to Johnny earlier this week for clarification on some of the issues surrounding the new business.
We asked him whether he was reopening in Christopher Place, and if so what had changed since his email in September when he said there was no intention to rebrand or stay at the shopping centre.
We questioned whether it had been a long-term plan to introduce savoury options, whether he would be employing any past members, of staff, and if the Pudding Stop liquidators have now wound up proceedings.
Finally, we asked what he would be doing differently to ensure this new venture succeeds.
No response to any of these questions was received before publication.
