Thunders Home Bakery & Deli has ceased trading at its eight locations across Dublin.

The company announced in a statement on Instagram that its outlets had closed after experiencing "difficult trading in recent months."

Thunders said the business had become "unsustainable," and the owners thanked their friends and customers for their loyal support.

The firm said it would not fulfil pre-order, and that it would be in touch with affected customers.

Jointly owned by married couple Stephanie and Stephen Heffernan since 2008, Thunders has not filed annual accounts since June 2023.

Accounts for Thunders Bakery Ltd for the 12 months to the end of September 2022, show the company made an annual loss of €66,700 while employee numbers were reduced from 75 to 66.

Long leasehold property (€243,300) and fixtures, fittings and equipment (€610,000) made up the bulk of its tangible assets (€902,800), and the company also had €344,600 in cash and equivalents. After taking into account current liabilities of €337,800, Thunders had net current assets of €51,900.

At the time, the company had net assets of €826,400 between retained earnings of €720,800 and a subordinated loan of €105,000 from Stephanie Heffernan.

The firm also received €150,000 from Enterprise Ireland, half of which took the form of a grant and the remainder of which was a loan to be paid back in three years.

Thunders first opened in Drumcondra in 1969 under the ownership of Tony Lonergan.

The Heffernans acquired the business from him in 1997, and prior to closure, it had grown to encompass stores in Swords, Phibsborough, Clontarf, Dundrum, Rathmines, and Crumlin.

Photo: Thunders Bakery in Clontarf. (Pic: Google Maps)