A beloved bakery famed for its social media sensation chocolate cakes has announced the permanent closure of its original Leeds store, blaming crippling rent increases for making the business untenable.
The End of an Era for Headingley
Get Baked will shut its doors at the Leeds Headingley branch for the final time on February 28. This site was the brand's first physical shop, having opened five years ago on North Lane. The decision leaves the Manchester Stevenson Square outlet as the sole remaining brick-and-mortar store.
Founder Rich Myers broke the news in a heartfelt Instagram post. He revealed that the proposed new lease terms for the Headingley location would demand higher payments than those for their city-centre Manchester site. For Myers, this financial reality signalled the end. "For the style of business that we are, is just madness," he stated.
When Record Sales Aren't Enough
Myers elaborated on the harsh economics facing the hospitality sector, explaining that sheer popularity can no longer guarantee survival. "Being busy is no longer enough to make most hospitality sites work," he wrote. He described the immense pressure to maximise profits, which strips the joy from running a business, turning record weekly sales into a stressful necessity rather than a celebration.
The bakery rose to fame through its extravagant, multi-layered chocolate cakes, particularly the legendary 24-layer 'Bertha' slice, priced at £20. These visually stunning desserts regularly sold out, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers online and defining the brand's identity.
Online Future and Team Gratitude
Despite the physical closure, Get Baked has a robust lifeline. The company's online delivery service, which sends thousands of desserts nationwide each week, will continue operating. "Online is very much the future of GB," Myers confirmed, highlighting the strength of this side of the business.
Myers reserved special praise for the staff who contributed to the Leeds shop's five-year run. "I have an enormous amount of gratitude for the teams... we've employed some incredible people that played a pivotal role in the business's success," he said, acknowledging that the brand's position today would not have been possible without them.
Beyond its signature cakes, Get Baked also offers a range of brownies, biscuits, pies, gift boxes, and merchandise, with next-day delivery available for orders placed before 12pm.
