Coughlans Bakery, a South London high street chain backed by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, has closed its doors permanently after nearly 100 years in business. The owners confirmed the bakery has entered liquidation, citing soaring fuel costs, wage pressures, and changes to national insurance contributions as the primary reasons.
Ranganathan's Investment and the Bakery's Legacy
Ranganathan, 47, invested in Coughlans in 2024, becoming the first person outside the family to join its board in nearly a century. The chain operated across more than 30 locations in South London, Surrey, Kent, and West Sussex, offering a plant-based menu including doughnuts, cinnamon buns, artisan bread, and wild mushroom sausage rolls.
Despite its celebrity endorsement and reputation as a southern high street institution, the bakery faced mounting financial pressures. Owner Sean Coughlan revealed in a social media video on June 30 that the business had been facing additional costs of approximately £20,000 per week due to these pressures.
Devastating Decision to Close
Coughlan described the decision as "devastating," noting that March was a fantastic month and the business had seen growth with new stores. However, new government rules on National Insurance, wages, and rates that took effect in April hit the high street instantly. He said: "This has affected us more than we could have ever imagined which is so devastating as March was a fantastic month, as was a lot of last year with our growth with new stores but as soon as April new government rules on NI, wages and rates hit, it instantly hit the high street."
The recent heatwaves across the UK proved to be the final straw, Coughlan added. He expressed gratitude to staff and customers, describing the closure as profoundly emotional for everyone involved. The bakery stopped trading immediately after the announcement on June 30.
Impact on Staff and Ranganathan
Coughlan said his team had created a "fun environment" at the bakery, which included the "newest family member Romesh." He added: "I feel like we've absolutely let him down," before addressing Ranganathan directly: "Rom, thank-you so much. Everything he's done [with us at the bakery] has come from the heart. He's devastated."
Ranganathan released a brief statement on social media, resharing the heartbreaking update with a crying emoji and the caption: "Gutted isn't the word."
