Beloved Ballymena bakery to close as family thanks community for seven years of support

A much-loved Ballymena bakery is preparing to close its doors after seven years, with the family behind the business sharing an emotional message of gratitude to the community that supported their dream.

The Old Mill Bakery, located on Mill Street in Ballymena, will cease trading on Saturday 4 April 2026, bringing to an end a journey that began with a simple ambition: to create honest, handcrafted food for the local community.

Owners Marta and Tomasz Gomula announced the decision this week, describing it as an incredibly difficult step after years spent building the bakery and reflecting on its future.

“With a heavy heart, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to close the doors of our beloved bakery,” the family said.

Owners of The Old Mill Bakery in Ballymena, Marta and Tomasz Gomula

“For seven years we poured our lives, our dreams, and our hearts into this place. Seven years of early mornings, warm ovens, flour on our hands, and hope in our hearts.”

Since opening, The Old Mill Bakery has become known locally for its wide range of handmade baked goods, from fresh loaves and scones to sausage rolls, pancakes and bespoke celebration cakes.

“From the very beginning, our dream was simple — to create honest, handcrafted food made from the finest ingredients,” they said.

“Every loaf of bread, every scone, every sausage roll, every pancake, every craft cake and every wedding cake was made with care, passion and love. We always tried to give you the very best we could create.”

The Gomula family moved to Northern Ireland from Poland 20 years ago, eventually turning their passion for baking into a business that would become a familiar stop for customers across Ballymena.

In their message, they spoke movingly about the welcome they received from the local community.

“Even though we were not born in this country, you welcomed us warmly and supported our dream. For that, we will always be grateful.”

Family: Tomasz pictured with children Julia, Maciej, Maya and Jaga

The bakery also became a family effort in every sense, with the couple’s four children — Julia, Maciej, Maya and Jaga — part of the story behind the small business.

Reflecting on the past seven years, the owners thanked customers for their loyalty and encouragement, especially during difficult periods such as the COVID pandemic.

“Thank you for every smile. Thank you for every visit. Thank you for every scone you bought in our shop.

“For every craft cake, every wedding cake, every sausage roll and every pancake. For every kind word, every conversation and every bit of support.”

They also paid tribute to the regular customers who returned week after week and became part of what they describe as their “little bakery family”.

“Thank you to our wonderful regular customers who walked through our doors week after week and became part of our little bakery family.”

While the ovens will eventually fall silent, the family say they hope to share a few more warm moments with customers in the coming weeks before the final day arrives.

The Old Mill Bakery will remain open for the next few weeks, with customers encouraged to place orders in advance if they would like to enjoy their favourite products one last time.

“With tears in our eyes but gratitude in our hearts, we simply want to say: thank you,” the message concluded.

“Let us share a few more warm moments together before the ovens cool for the last time.”