A second Gail's bakery is set to open in Canary Wharf next month, located just a short distance from an existing branch. The new outlet will occupy the former Tiger premises at the RT5 Crossrail Station, which houses the Canary Wharf platform of the Elizabeth Line, at 1 Crossrail Place, Canada Square.
Opening Date and Offerings
Gail's has confirmed that the new store will open its doors on Thursday, July 9, catering to thousands of commuters with fresh coffee, bagels, and nutritious breakfasts.
Existing Branch Remains Open
There is currently a Gail's wholesale store within the Canada Square shopping centre, near Waitrose. Gail's has confirmed that this existing branch will remain operational, despite being just minutes away from the new café.
Expansion Plans
At the beginning of this year, Gail's announced plans to open 40 new stores across England throughout 2026. The fast-growing chain aims to continue expanding into various regions in the coming years. Gail's opened 36 cafes over the previous financial year, including its first locations in the south west of England, with the next 40 stores set to open by the end of February 2026.
Financial Performance
Sales totalled £278 million in the year to the end of February 2025, up by about 20% compared with the prior year, according to recently filed accounts. However, pre-tax losses widened to £7.8 million, from £7.4 million the year before, due to investments in new stores and increased business expenses and staff costs. Gail's employed more than 4,000 staff at the end of February 2025, about 500 more than the previous year following a recruitment drive.
Wholesale Business
Gail's also operates a wholesale business that sells baked goods to other stores and supermarkets, such as Waitrose and Ocado. Directors of the company noted that the wholesale market is “very competitive,” but they are attracting new and existing customers with high “quality at reasonable prices.”
Retail Growth
The price of Gail’s sourdough loaf starts from about £4.80. The company stated that its retail arm, which includes its bakeries, is the “faster growing and more profitable part” of the group. “But the market also remains very competitive and we recognise that to be able to grow we must continue to provide innovative world-class food in attractive neighbourhood bakeries,” bosses added.
