Another well known businessman decided to retire in mid February 1979, rather than be relocated. The re-development of Glasgow Road saw many people simply close up shop and retire rather than be moved. One of those people was well known, Andrew Little.
Andrew’s family business closed its doors for the last time on 16th February 1979 at 4pm.
Little’s Bakers at 200 Glasgow Road had been trading for just over 51 years, since 1927. Andrew Little of 3 Church Street is pictured here on his last day, retiring aged 72. His sons, James (left) and William (right) are also pictured behind him and had both worked with Andrew since leaving school.
Mr Little started work as a baker in Carluke in 1920. Learning his trade, he came to Blantyre and opened his shop in 1927. The bakery out back had a little claim to fame. Although it was closed at the time of this picture, it had one of the oldest coal fired ovens in Scotland and its old, original stone floor was more than a hundred years old.
Mr Little took time upon his retirement to thank all his customer over the years. It is safe to say that people were especially upset to see the close of this business, a loss of perhaps the best rolls in Lanarkshire.
From the book, “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) 2018
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:
John Cornfield My god the rolls were good especially when still warm
George Crossan Used to get rolls on the way home from night shift put them inside my coat kept me warm till I got home 😂
Janette Brown Cream horns yum
Sally Jamieson There was nothing better than a Little’s roll.
Maureen Hawthorne Used to go there with my nana for cakes, loved that wee shop,
Anne Marie Murray Mr Little stays in Hamilton. I take it he will still have all his recipes..
Marie Mc Millan My dad always got them in morning and were always warm love them Jane Maxwell I loved their rolls still miss them no one makes them quite the same.
Jane Maxwell I would get them in the morning to take to work. My friends at work asked me if l could get some for them as well they loved them just as much as l did.
Ann Hartman Dad brought some home from night shift kept them warm.in tea towel for us getting up had with jam.or butter for breckie before school magic nothing like them theses days unfortunately would love to have one right now salivating just thinking about them
Anne Grogan Loved their rolls and snowballs, best in town.
Liz Anderson Littles rolls, haven’t been matched by anyone yet, we used to fight to go early in the morning, cos if we bumped into our uncle James (James Connor) he would not only pay for the rolls and let you keep the money, but he would treat you to a creamed horn! Rolls shoved up yer jook keeping you warm and eating your creamed horn on the way home……..pure magic! X
Jeanette Allardyce Ward It was always queues out the door. Best rolls and tattie scones in Blantyre x
Jim McSorley They were indeed the best rolls. Better than the co bakers