Janes Pantry Acquires 25 Former Coughlans Bakery Sites

Gloucestershire-based bakery chain Janes Pantry has made a significant move in the sector by acquiring the majority of the business and assets of Coughlans Bakeries, which recently ceased operations due to rising costs. This strategic acquisition is expected to lead to the reopening of 25 of Coughlans' 31 closed branches under the Janes Pantry brand. The deal offers a promising new chapter for local communities in South London, Surrey, Kent, and West Sussex, where hundreds of employees had lost their jobs.

Coughlans Bakeries, a family-run chain established in 1937, announced its decision to enter voluntary liquidation on July 1, 2026. The company cited mounting financial pressures, including increased national insurance contributions, business rates, soaring fuel prices, and minimum wage hikes, as reasons for its closure. This abrupt shutdown resulted in over 170 redundancies and the closure of 31 bakery sites. The sale process, managed by joint liquidators Paul Bailey and Kirren Keegan of Bailey Ahmad Business Recovery (BABR), was completed with Janes Bakery Limited on August 5, just weeks after the initial closure.

Janes Bakery Limited, founded in 1971, is a well-established bakery and café business operating under the Janes Pantry brand. The company itself was acquired by Percys Baking UK in June 2025. While the financial terms of the Coughlans deal were not disclosed, the acquisition does not include the Coughlans name, meaning the reopened shops will operate under the Janes Pantry brand. David Davies, CEO of Janes Bakery, stated, "Coughlans has been part of local life for generations. When shops close suddenly, the impact is felt by staff, loyal customers, and the wider high street."

This development highlights the challenges faced by the UK's bakery sector, as well as its capacity for adaptation. Factors such as high energy costs, labor expenses, and regulatory changes have severely squeezed profit margins for small and independent businesses. Coughlans' closure underscores the vulnerability of such enterprises to shifts in fiscal policy, while Janes Pantry's takeover can be seen as a reflection of consolidation trends within the industry. Such acquisitions often provide economies of scale and improve operational efficiency, offering a strategy for survival in tough market conditions.

Janes Pantry's move holds significant importance for economic revitalization and job preservation in the areas affected by the closures. The company has indicated that it will invite former Coughlans employees to reapply for positions at the reopened stores, aiming to create a substantial number of employment opportunities. This initiative is expected to provide a positive impetus to local economies and restore access to familiar bakery services for consumers. Moving forward, Janes Pantry's operational integration and market strategies will be crucial in shaping the future of the bakery sector in these regions.