Walthamstow’s residents are outraged over plans for major bakery chain Gail’s to open a shop in the area. Hundreds of people have signed a petition to stop the bakery setting up shop in Walthamstow Village due to the threat it could cause to the neighbourhood's local businesses and the highstreet's distintive ‘uniqueness’.
Petition organisers are concerned that the chain will undermine Walthamstow’s sense of character while reducing business to independently-run establishments in the area.
The petition has been launched on Change.org and reads: ‘Gails, 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.
‘Preserving Walthamstow's high street is not just about supporting local businesses; it's about protecting the unique identity of our community. It's about choosing inclusive growth, preserving diversity and creating equitable and sustainable local economies.’
Gail’s is known for its presence in affluent areas across London and the southeast of England, earning a reputation for serving a well-heeled clientele who are happy to pay a premium for their morning coffee and pastry. It originally launched in Hampstead 20 years ago and now boasts over 100 shops across the capital and surrounding major cities including Cambridge, Bristol, Oxford and Brighton.
At the time of writing, the petition has received over 600 signatures, more than halfway to its goal of 1,000. However, Gail’s has not yet confirmed officially that it will be opening a store in Walthamstow. A spokeswoman for the chain has 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’.
Fear not! We've got plenty more delicious spots serving breads, pastries, cakes and more in our guide to the best bakeries in London.