Bakery and coffee shop chain Gail's could be coming to Brixton after plans were submitted to take over a unit next to the Tube station.
The proposed site is next to Brixton Underground station at 439 Brixton Road, a unit currently vacant after its previous occupant, fast-food chain Chopstix. Gail's has sought planning permission to undertake alterations to the store, including removing the existing shopfront and installing new signage. The application was submitted on May 13 and residents and local businesses have until June 19 to have their say on the proposals.
Following this, planning officers will review all information, including community input and the application will be assessed against local and national policies as part of a recommendation report. The final decision will rest either with a designated planning officer or will be referred to Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee.
At the end of November 2025, Gail's unveiled plans to rapidly expand its stores by opening 40 more outlets after its sales rose by a fifth during the previous year. A CGI drawing of the proposed Gail's on Brixton Road was released by IDL Architects and Lambeth Council.
Gail's is known for its cinnamon buns and sourdough loaves, but with the cost of one bun setting you back £4 and loaves that start from £4.90, the chain has been accused by some of being "insanely overpriced" and has become synonymous in London with gentrification.
Independent businesses are already struggling in Brixton, and earlier this year the owner of Brixton News was forced to close his news stand of 36 years after being "priced out" by Transport for London (TfL). Pritesh Patel, whose news stand was located inside Brixton Tube station and only metres away from the potential site for the new Gail's, said TfL bosses told him he'd have to pay £85,000 a year if he wanted to remain at the site, which was more than double his previous rate.
A similar case is currently unravelling in Oval, where a family-run café inside the Tube station has been told its lease will not be renewed by TfL. Old Roots Café, which has operated inside the London Underground station for the past 20 years, says it will be forced to shut by summer next year if the proposed changes go ahead. Metin Balci, from Old Roots Café, previously said: "TfL are limiting small businesses that are trying to run in their stations. We're all being replaced by Gail's, Pret and Greggs, but there's no way we can compete with them. If this continues there will be no independent businesses left in stations."
There is no doubt that the communities of Brixton, an area which has undergone immense change over the years, will have something to say over the possibility of a Gail's opening up, with many already taking to social media to share their opinions. As of Thursday, a post by bestofbrixtonldn on Instagram had attracted 572 comments, and more than 1,200 likes. Commenting on the post, Instagram user divagez said: "The High Street doesn't need another overpriced bakery. It needs variety, affordability and businesses that actually serve the whole community. Every year London looks more generic, costs more to live in, and loses a bit more of its character. Gail's? Really?" Another user called somaticswithsuhad said: "It is everywhere.. how are all high streets gonna look the same?" One person pointed out that a Gail's already exists on Railton Road, which is just over a 20-minute walk away from the proposed location. Gail's was approached but the chain did not want to comment on the Brixton plans.
