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Bakery Chain Co-Owned by Romesh Ranganathan Closes After Nearly 100 Years
Owner Sean Coughlan said soaring fuel, wage and tax costs added about £20,000 a week and made the business model unviable.
- On Tuesday, managing director Sean Coughlan announced that Coughlans Bakery entered voluntary liquidation after nearly 100 years in business. The 31-location chain closed its doors with immediate effect.
- Coughlan cited mounting financial pressures including increased National Insurance contributions, business rates, and fuel costs. He explained these abrupt cost increases rendered the family-run business model unviable starting in April.
- Fuel costs doubled to £6,000 due to the Middle East conflict, while recent heatwaves caused revenue to drop by about 50%. Coughlan described these as the "nail in the coffin."
- Comedian and co-owner Romesh Ranganathan, who joined in 2024, stated he is "gutted" by the closure. Coughlan thanked the 47-year-old for his partnership, calling him an "honorary Coughlan."
- The company chose voluntary liquidation to ensure suppliers and employees receive payment. Despite the closure of the 89-year-old institution, Coughlan expressed hope for potential future collaboration with Ranganathan.
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89 year-old London bakery backed by Romesh Ranganathan announces closure
Coughlans bakery, which operates a host of sites across the South including bakeries in Croydon, Beckenham and Addiscombe, has announced it has gone into voluntary liquidation.The announcement was made on the chain’s Instagram feed, inciting a public outcry as well as a response from bakery backer Romesh Ranganathan and a handful of his comedy contemporaries.Coughlans Bakery director Sean Coughlan explained the move in a video statement, saying …
'Gutted isn't the word' - West Sussex bakery co-owned by Romesh Ranganathan closes down
A West Sussex bakery co-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan has announced it is closing after 89 years, blaming soaring costs that have added around £20,000 a week to its bills.
·Lewes, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Center
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources are Center
61% Center
L 22%
C 61%
R 17%
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