Bakeries in Crawley, Horsham and Horley set to return under new ownership

Janes Pantry signage has appeared at former Coughlans Bakery shops across West Sussex and Surrey.

Janes Pantry is confirmed to be coming to Victoria Road, Horley, while its branding has also gone up at the former Coughlans stores in Maidenbower Square in Crawley, and at Piries Place & Blackbridge Lane in Horsham.

Taylor O'Driscoll, a community activist in Horley, said on Facebook: “Janes Pantry is coming to Horley. Really exciting news for our town.”

Tilgate and Furnace Green councillor Duncan Crow also shared an update, after visiting the former Coughlans shop at Maidenbower Square.

He said: “Nice to see the Janes Pantry frontage is all up and inside looks mostly ready too.

“No indication yet as to an opening date, but looking like soon.”

Janes Pantry signage has also appeared at both former Coughlans shops in Horsham, at Piries Place and Blackbridge Lane.

The developments follow the collapse of Coughlans Bakery, which was co-owned by Crawley-born comedian Romesh Ranganathan.

The 89-year-old family business announced in July that it was closing, blaming soaring costs which had added around £20,000 a week to its bills.

Business director Sean Coughlan announced the closure in an emotional Facebook post, on July 1, saying the bakery would ‘close its doors today for the last time’.

Sean paid tribute to Ranganathan, who had become a co-owner of the bakery, describing him as ‘our newest family member’.

He wrote: “Thank you... you've been incredible, kind, compassionate and we've had so much fun together. Fingers crossed we can do something in the future as our partnership is very special and you will be my family forever.”

Responding on Instagram, the Crawley-born comedian and former Hazelwick school teacher wrote: “Gutted isn't the word.”

Sean concluded his statement by urging people to continue supporting independent businesses.

“Please, please, please remember to shop local,” he wrote. “Our high streets need your love.”

Janes Pantry, a family-run bakery business based in Gloucestershire, subsequently agreed to acquire Coughlans' bakery shop estate out of liquidation.

The company said it planned to reopen stores where it considered them to be ‘operationally and commercially viable’, with the intention of creating local bakery jobs as shops reopened.

It was reported that the majority of the 31 former Coughlans Bakery stores would be reopened as Janes Bakery.

Former Coughlans staff were being invited to apply for jobs with Janes.

The company’s website reads: “The first Jane's Pantry shop was opened as a sandwich bar in St Aldates Street, Gloucester during 1971, by Tony and Barbara Phillips, who named the shop and subsequent business after their youngest daughter.

"The company is still very much a family run firm, with Neville Morse controlling day to day operations.

"Jane's Pantry has become a major city employer and is now responsible for more than 100 people from its Tuffley, Gloucester Headquarters.”

Find out more at https://www.janespantry.co.uk/bakery/