RESIDENTS in a market village have said they don’t need a posh London bakery in their northern town as they prefer pies and sausage rolls.
Disgruntled locals in Knutsford, Cheshire, have complained that Gail’s, which sells sourdough bread, croissants and more, is “too expensive” and could drive out independent traders.
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The chain’s new coffee shop-style bakery is due to open next Friday and will join others that have opened as part of its expansion into the North West.
But some Knutsford residents haven’t welcomed the new Gail’s, which occupies a former HSBC bank building.
Nigel Cowl, 58, has lived in town for more than 30 years, and says it’s gradually become more affluent, with businesses that cater more for its wealthier inhabitants.
He says he “won’t bother” visiting the bakery.
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Nigel said: “I won’t go in there. I work at the Co-op and can pick up some cheaper bake-at-home things instead.
“To be honest, I prefer some jam or marmite on toast to a fancy croissant.”
He added: “I think the bakery will get a lot of customers because Knutsford has become so upmarket.
“But I don’t think it’s a good thing – it’s too expensive.”
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Andy Booth, 42, said: “It’s not the kind of place I would go in.
“I’m trying to avoid eating too many carbs at the moment.
“But I also prefer a pie or sausage roll to a bagel or something sweet.
“So if I feel like a naughty sausage roll I’ll just go to another bakery instead.”
Andy said some people would be concerned about the prices at Gail’s and whether it was “value for money”.
A woman called Vicky, who didn’t wish to give her full name, doubted if the new bakery “would go down well” with residents.
“It would be much better if an independent business was opening,” she said.
“Too many are being driven out.
“So the last thing we need is another chain in the town.”
But other residents were more positive about the bakery opening.
Amanda Lee, 59, who works at the The Edit boutique clothing shop in the town, believes it will be a “good thing”.
She said: “I know the one in Altrincham has been very popular but it doesn’t seem to have impacted other businesses who are still thriving.
“I think it will be the same here because people will come and go where they want to go and customers tend to stay loyal.
“Other bakeries have similar prices, so I think customers will be happy to pay £4 for a loaf of bread.”
She added that Knutsford had a lot of “passing trade” due to thousands of visitors each year to the nearby historic estate at Tatton Park, so the new Gail’s would also appeal to them.
Brook Foster, 25, said she welcomed the new Gail’s and it was unlikely to “push out” local businesses.
“The building has been empty for some months and I rather it was opening as a bakery than something else we didn’t need,” she said.
“Obviously, they’ve decided to open places in more expensive areas.
“And I think most people expect to pay those kind of prices if they buy coffee or something else.”
Brian Cain, 55, admitted he was a fan of Gail’s because of its “quality” and “family vibe”.
“I can’t wait for it to open,” he said.
“It’s good for the town to have such a trendy bakery.”
The Sun has contacted Gail’s for comment.
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First formed as a wholesale-only operation, Gail’s opened its first cafe on Hampstead High Street in 2005.
The brand now has more than 70 sites spread across London, Oxford, Brighton and elsewhere.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
