The owner of a well-loved bakery in the heart of Tring is celebrating her 20th anniversary at the helm, and 85 years since the shop first opened its doors to customers.
Kerry Atkins’ grandfather Charles founded Atkins’ Bakery after moving to Hertfordshire in 1939 with his wife. Kerry told Tringnews that the couple began selling homemade bread from their front room on Western Road, before deciding to buy the shop next door and creating Atkins’ Bakery.
Kerry’s father and uncle took over the business in 1960, which is when Kerry’s own love for the bakery began.
Talking about her father, Kerry said: “My dad was such a character; he has done so much for Tring. He was so active in the community, from helping to put up the Christmas lights to the Donkey Derby.
“I started helping out when I was about eight, although I was most likely getting in the way. Then at 14, I started working at the bakehouse and I honestly loved it; it was such happy times!”
Her father and uncle retired 20 years ago and began the process of selling the shop. But Kerry, who at the time was working in a job she wasn’t passionate about, asked if she could take over the shop instead.
Two decades later, she is still going strong, having served delicious sandwiches, doughnuts, and pastries to thousands of customers.
Kerry uses only local products from places such as Tring Market. The bakery continued to thrive during the COVID-19 lockdown, as Kerry offered kitchen essentials to residents of Tring.
She said: “Marks & Spencer would send customers to me for their eggs after they ran out. I sold 720 in one day!”
Since taking over, Kerry has pledged to support the community she serves, and has donated hundreds of pounds of her earnings to charities such as Rennie Grove Peace Hospice. To celebrate 20 years of her tenure as boss, she is also donating 20 per cent of one day of the business’ earnings and any donations to The Hospice of St Francis Berkhamsted.
Kerry said: “It was scary taking on the shop on my own, but 20 years later, I’m still here. I keep thinking where did the time go?
“It’s my wonderful staff that has made this a success. We’ve had so much fun, and I think if we did a drama on the shop, everyone would watch!”
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