Fury as famous pub is being turned into Gail’s bakery just a year after sudden closure and petition to stop chain
ANOTHER Gail’s set to open in replacement of a famous pub has left locals devastated.
The former site of the Hackney Tap in east London is revealed to be turning into a Gail’s bakery.
It comes after the popular pub in Hackney suddenly shut down in July 2024 without explanation.
The site where the pub was located has remained empty for the past year.
However, Gail’s posters have been spotted around the windows of the building which state: “We’ll be baking here soon.”
This follows planning permissions that was requested a few months after the pub closed, with hopes to turn the Grade II-listed building into a food and drink hub.
However, local residents and pubgoers have hit back at the update of the site becoming a Gail’s.
On a Hackney Reddit thread, a user shared how they were “sad to see the local pub replaced by Gail’s.”
Another X user in response to a post about the news wrote: “If I’m not mistaken that would be the third one in Hackney.
“Gentrification in progress?”
There has been significant concern around the loss of independent businesses on high streets which are being replaced by chains.
It even led to a petition by east Londoners to “Prevent Gail’s from Establishing a Store on Our High Street.”
The petition, which has accumulated over 1,800 signatures, states Walthamstow Village has been a “vibrant local neighbourhood in London…treasured for its collection of local, independent and family-run businesses.”
The expansion of chains like Gail’s into communities is therefore perceived to threaten the “uniqueness” of high streets and “bring a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores due to their massive scale and advertising reach.”
In response to the public dismay, a Gail’s spokesperson said: “Gail’s is excited to confirm it is opening a new bakery in Hackney this summer.
“The opening will bring Gail’s craft baking to the community, including creating a number of craft baking, barista, and management roles.
“We will also be donating surplus baked goods through our Neighbourly partnership, which will be distributing produce to six local charities and a school in the area.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve and improving access to quality food and drink on the high-street.
They added: “Gail’s has worked with long-term design partners Cavendish Studios to celebrate many of the Grade II listed building’s original features like its large arched windows, high ceilings and wood cladded panelling with thoughtful design details.”