A metallic grey van pulls up outside my home. Inside it is William Despard, an engineer turned baker, who owns the Bretzel Bakery, a Dublin bread and pastry maker which began its life 150 years ago serving the Jewish community in Portobello, Dublin 8. Despard, a keen sailor, has always had long windswept hair, and striking eyebrows. His hair is even longer than usual in lockdown as I wave to him through the window, but he has the same wide smile. He gestures with his hand to give him five minutes. He has one more sale call to do before…

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William Despard has been living his life in reverse since Covid-19 struck, pausing expansion in favour of survival

In five days, William Despard’s 150-year old bakery business lost 7% of its customer base. In ten days, this became 70%. But he has now pivoted his Bretzel Bakery operation away from supplying restaurants and coffee shops to retailers.

8th Jun, 2020 - 10 min read

Tom Lyons

Chief Executive

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