Percy Ingle is to close all its bakeries after 66 years of trading.

The family-owned business, founded in 1954, reopened last month after being forced shut by lockdown in March.

The company has confirmed the closure of all 48 stores across south, east London and Essex, but an official statement is yet to be released.

Labour MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting tweeted: “Sorry to see a good East End bakery like Percy Ingle’s closing after more than 50 years, especially for all the staff and those who’ve fought to keep it going against the double whammy of high street pressures and now covid-19.”

Percy Ingle has outlets in Brentwood, Barking, Hornchurch, Deptford, Woolwich, Catford and Lewisham.