A familiar sight on Britain’s high streets since 1926, Patisserie Valerie was a popular spot for afternoon tea and cakes.

Fans of the bakery chain were left surprised after the cafe in High Wycombe’s Eden Shopping Centre closed in the new year.

The High Wycombe branch was located in a prime spot in the shopping centre near Skechers and River Island until it closed on Wednesday, January 2.

A note on the door said: “This store is now closed!”

The sign on the door (Image: Newsquest)

The door was locked and chairs and tables were stacked inside on January 3 when the Free Press visited the site.

All fresh produce appeared to have been emptied out of the display fridge and the lights were off. 

On the Eden Shopping Centre website, Patisserie Valerie is now listed as “temporarily closed.”

The shopping centre did not comment on the closure.

Patisserie Valerie went into administration following a fraud investigation in 2018, which led to the closure of dozens of shops and loss of jobs up and down the country.

The bakery was bought by Causeway Capital in 2019 and currently the brand boasts about 30 shops according to British Baker.

The look inside the shuttered cafe on Wednesday, January 3 (Image: Newsquest)