‘We do not want a chain here’: Petition launched to keep Gail's out of Walthamstow

Hundreds of people have signed a petition opposing the opening of a Gail’s bakery in Walthamstow, east London, claiming it would threaten the area’s independent businesses.

Rumours have circulated that the bakery is looking to open a site in Walthamstow Village, although this does not appear to have been confirmed by the bakery chain.

A petition opposing any opening by the upmarket chain has been launched on Change.org, attracting almost 400 signatures.

It reads: “Walthamstow Village, a vibrant local neighbourhood in London, UK, is treasured for its collection of local, independent, and family-run businesses.

“Our high street, a spotlight for these coveted establishments, faces a threat to its uniqueness with the prospect of Gail’s, a large-scale bakery chain, setting up shop on it. 

“Gail’s, although respected for their quality, bring a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores due to their massive scale and advertising reach.

“This could lead to decreased visibility and pedestrian traffic towards independently run businesses, threatening their very existence and dismantling the character and diversity crucial to Walthamstow’s charm.”

Commenting on the petition, one signatory said: “We do not want a chain here bringing unwanted competition to local independent businesses, which already face enough challenges.”

Another added: “Support independent not corporate chains.”

A spokesperson for Gail’s said: “We understand the concern around chains, but our view is that a healthy high street is one with a diversity of quality offers each delivering their best.

"High streets evolve over time and we open our small bakeries often in closed banks or stranded restaurants. All of our bakeries exist in areas where the choices are wide and growing - we should be celebrating the improvement in our food landscapes.”

How many Gail’s bakeries are there in the UK?

Gail’s was founded by Yael (Gail) Mejia as a bakery in the 1990s to supply chefs and restaurants.

Chief executive Tom Molnar joined in 2003 and the bakery opened its first high-street site in Hampstead in 2005.

The business is also part-owned by hospitality entrepreneur Luke Johnson, who initially partnered with Molnar in 2011.

In 2021 Bain Capital Credit and EBITDA Investments took a major stake in the business, which now has more than 130 sites.

Earlier this year Gail’s managing director Marta Pogroszewska said the chain was looking to open up to 35 sites in 2024.

The business had earlier said it believed there were between 300 and 500 locations it could successfully open in the UK.

The opening of a Gail’s bakery has become a signal of the prosperity of an area, and has been even cited as sign of a “prime property market”.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the party even looked at where the bakery chain had opened as an indicator of constituencies that could turn yellow.

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