Coughlans Bakery, a family-run chain with 89 years of history and more than 30 locations across south London, Surrey, Kent, and West Sussex, permanently closed its doors on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The closure has left loyal customers devastated, with many taking to social media to express their grief.
Customer Reactions: 'I Just Fell to My Knees'
Customers described the bakery as 'better than Greggs' and mourned the loss of a local institution. One Reddit user wrote, 'Noooo I love Coughlans. I can’t believe they’re closing. Their biscuits were so good.' Another added, 'I just fell to my knees noooo.' A third commented, 'Gutted. So much better than Greggs food and now where do I go for my lunch?'
Others praised the bakery's vegan options. 'They had so many great vegan options,' said one customer. 'RIP your Mushroom roll and all those delicious yumyums, donuts and cookies.' Longtime patrons shared memories: 'Gutted. Been going to a Coughlans for cakes and pasties since I was a kid – a major loss to Croydon,' said one. Another recalled, 'I am genuinely gutted to hear this, we used to live on lower Addiscombe road in the 80s and my Dad would always get something for me and my sister after school from the Coughlans on that road. The staff were always friendly.'
Rising Costs Led to Unsustainable Losses
Managing director Sean Coughlan announced the bakery's voluntary liquidation to ensure staff and suppliers could still be paid. In a video statement, he cited a 'sharp increase' in costs this year, including higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage rises, business rates, and fuel costs. These charges amounted to approximately £20,000 per week, which proved unsustainable. 'Rates have absolutely smashed local businesses, local retail,' Sean said.
The recent hot weather in June also hurt sales, as shoppers opted for ice cream instead of baked goods. The bakery had been part-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan since 2024, who announced the closure on Instagram, saying, 'Gutted isn’t the word.'
Official Statement and Future Hopes
In a formal statement, Coughlans said: 'It’s been our absolute honour to have served you all our tasty treats and thank you all for your incredible support and love and we will miss you all. Thank you to all our team over the last 89 years that made Coughlans Bakery the fun environment it has been, thank you to all our families who are always absolute rocks and a massive thank you to our newest family member Romesh. You’ve been incredible, kind, compassionate and we’ve had so much fun together and fingers crossed we can do something in the future as our partnership is very special and you will be my family forever. Please please please remember to shop local, our high streets need your love.'
The closure marks the end of a beloved high street staple that began in Thornton Heath in 1937, serving cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, sourdough toasties, and vegan cakes. Customers are now left searching for alternatives, with many echoing the sentiment: 'So sad about this! Was my standard Saturdays morning post-gym treat and the staff were always so friendly.'
