An upmarket bakery chain, beloved by London's foodies, has been plunged into crisis after its newest outlet was handed a devastatingly poor food hygiene rating.
The Gail's Bakery on Broadway, Westminster – a stone's throw from the Houses of Parliament – received a score of just one out of five following a routine inspection by environmental health officers. The damning verdict has sparked a major internal investigation and a public apology from the chain.
What Did Inspectors Find?
The inspection, carried out by the City of Westminster's food safety team, uncovered several critical breaches. The report highlighted a failure to implement and maintain a proper food safety management system, a fundamental requirement for any food business.
Furthermore, the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were found to be lacking. Most alarmingly, the inspection found that the handling, preparation, and storage of food were not being managed in a way that ensured its safety, posing a direct risk to consumers.
A Chain in Damage Control
In response to the shocking rating, a spokesperson for Gail's Bakery issued a swift and serious statement. They confirmed the company is treating the matter with the utmost urgency, stating that the outlet's management team has been replaced and a new, experienced manager is now in place.
'We are incredibly disappointed and sorry to have received this rating,' the spokesperson said. 'We have undertaken a thorough deep clean of the bakery and are re-training all team members on our stringent food safety and hygiene protocols, which are of critical importance to us.'
From Luxury Loaves to Hygiene Failures
The news has sent shockwaves through Gail's customer base, who are accustomed to paying a premium for its artisanal breads, pastries, and coffees. The brand has built a reputation on quality and provenance, making this hygiene failure particularly damaging to its image.
The Westminster branch only opened its doors in December, making this poor rating an embarrassing setback for what should have been a flagship new location. The company has assured the public that it is working closely with local environmental health officers to rectify all identified issues promptly and is confident of achieving a top rating upon re-inspection.
