A popular and much-loved local business has closed its doors for the last time. Off The Wheaten Track, the first fully gluten-free deli in Greater Manchester, has permanently shut down after nearly six years of serving the Altrincham community.
Located on Oxford Road, the deli was opened in April 2019 by Hayley Hadfield and her husband Dave. The idea for the business was born out of personal experience. Dave lives with coeliac disease, a lifelong autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the body when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and avoiding it completely is essential for people with coeliac disease.
Hayley and Dave saw a gap in the market for safe, delicious, and high-quality gluten-free food. Their vision was to create a deli that not only catered specifically to people with coeliac disease and other dietary restrictions but also offered great food that everyone could enjoy.
Since opening, Off The Wheaten Track quickly became a staple in Altrincham’s food scene. It developed a loyal customer base made up of people with food allergies and intolerances, as well as others who simply appreciated the care, flavour, and variety that went into Hayley’s recipes. The deli earned a reputation for being welcoming, inclusive, and warm — a rare gem for those who often feel limited by dietary needs.
In a deeply personal and emotional message shared on social media, Hayley announced the closure of the business. She described it as “the most emotional and bittersweet post” she would ever write and thanked everyone who had supported the deli from day one.
Hayley explained that she and Dave had been through many ups and downs since opening the business. They overcame a number of major challenges, including surviving the Covid-19 pandemic, dealing with constant rises in the price of ingredients, managing increased energy bills, and navigating the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Despite these hurdles, they remained committed to their original mission — to challenge misconceptions about gluten-free food and show that it could be just as delicious and exciting as anything else on the market.
But in recent months, the couple faced growing financial and personal pressures that forced them to reassess their future. Hayley said that the latest UK government budget, business rate increases, and a rise in commercial rent all created serious concerns. The deli’s lease was also due for renewal, and they felt that signing another long-term agreement under uncertain financial conditions would not be the right move — either professionally or personally.
Adding to the situation, a new personal opportunity arose for the couple outside of Altrincham. While she did not share full details, Hayley confirmed that she and Dave had decided to leave the area to begin a new chapter in their lives. She described it as a rare and exciting lifestyle change that they simply could not turn down, even though it meant saying goodbye to a business they had poured their hearts into.
Hayley also reflected on the journey the business had taken since 2019. She recalled how some people doubted that such a niche business could survive more than a few months. Instead, Off The Wheaten Track defied expectations and grew into a local institution, built on passion, community, and trust.
In addition to being a talented baker and businesswoman, Hayley is the sister of internationally known classical singer Russell Watson. Despite the family’s public profile, the deli’s success was grounded in local love and loyal support from people in the community.
The closure of Off The Wheaten Track leaves a gap in Greater Manchester’s food scene. It was the first and only fully gluten-free deli in the region and provided a rare safe space for people with specific dietary needs. Customers could eat with confidence, knowing everything on the menu was prepared without gluten and with careful attention to cross-contamination.
For many people, the deli was more than just a place to eat. It was a haven — somewhere they felt welcomed, understood, and catered to in a way that few other businesses offered.
While the loss of the deli is deeply felt by many, Hayley and Dave leave behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and innovation. Their story serves as a reminder of how deeply small businesses can touch lives, especially when they are built on empathy, care, and a genuine desire to help others.
As Hayley and Dave move forward into their next adventure, they carry with them the gratitude and best wishes of a community that will not forget what they created. Off The Wheaten Track may be closing its doors, but its impact will last far longer.
https://todaynews.ca/
Leave a Reply