Alexander Taylor Bakery in Strathaven, believed to be Scotland’s oldest bakery, was established in 1820 and has been run by six generations of the Taylor family.
The bakery has now been bought by Carlos Huerta, an entrepreneur from California who is relocating from Los Angeles to South Lanarkshire to take on the business.
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Mr Huerta told our sister title, The Herald: “Alexander Taylor is more than a bakery; it is a piece of living Scottish heritage.
“From the moment I came across this business, I felt a real connection to what it represents: genuine craft, community, and a story that has been carefully preserved across generations.
“My commitment is to protect that legacy and build on it, keeping the heart of the business exactly where it belongs, in Strathaven.
“But the goal is no longer just to be one of the oldest – it’s to become one of the most well-known bakeries in the UK.”
Barry and Claire Taylor, who have run the bakery since 1997, will stay on during the transition in a consultancy role to support staff, customers, and suppliers as the business enters its next chapter.
The couple said: “Handing over something that has been in our family for so long was never going to be an easy decision.
“But knowing that Alexander Taylor is passing to someone who genuinely cares about what it stands for, and who is committed to its future in this community, makes it the right one.
“We’re proud of everything we’ve built, and we’re excited to see what comes next.”
The Taylors sold the business to return to their creative roots as artists.
Business Partnership, a national firm specialising in the sale of independent businesses, handled the transaction.
Cameron Young, partner at Business Partnership, said: “This is a genuinely special business with a story that resonated with buyers from across the world.
“Carlos stood out not just because of his commercial credentials, but because of his passion for Scotland and his respect for what the Taylors have created here.
“It was clear from early conversations that he wasn’t looking to reinvent Alexander Taylor, he was looking to steward it.
“That’s exactly what this business deserves.”
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The bakery has been a fixture in Strathaven for more than two centuries, serving generations of customers with its handmade breads, classic Scottish bakes, patisserie, and savoury products.
It currently employs 26 people and attracts both loyal locals and visitors to the town’s historic centre.