Two more Cooplands branches have announced their closure after the shock revelation that the popular baker would be moving out of one of its Darlington venues.

Cooplands of Scarborough is a long-established bakery chain throughout the north of England, having started in 1885.

Despite building its portfolio across County Durham, Darlington and beyond for the last few years, it has announced that two more stores will be shutting down for good.

Read more: Former Water House pub in Durham to reopen under new ownership

It's offerings in Berwick Hills and Skelton will say goodbye for good following an "in-depth review of the business".

The shops sell pasties, pies, sandwiches, and cakes, but sadly the branches are now closed. 

A Cooplands spokesperson said: “Following an in-depth review of the business, we are making some changes to both our retail and bakery operations, to help better position the business for the long-term and sustainable growth. This has been done to ensure that our store estate and broader business are fully aligned with our ‘modern bakery food-to-go retailer’ strategy.”

The announcement comes after the Darlington branch on Woodland Road, located on a parade of shops in the village, next door to rival Greggs, closing.

It was first noticed that the shutters were down on Monday, June 5. A few days later a notice was stuck on the shutters alerting would-be customers that the branch had now closed.

The nearest branches of Cooplands are located on Fulthorpe Avenue in Mowden, and High Row and Northgate in the town centre.

It is not yet known what business will go on to occupy the unit.