Gail’s has announced an opening date for its Walthamstow bakery, dashing the hopes of locals who tried to stop the chain moving onto a street of independent shops.
Nearly 2,000 people signed a change.org petition to lobby against the upmarket eatery from opening in the Village part of Walthamstow, north London.
But this week Gail’s put signage up at the Orford Road location and said its latest store will open on October 3.
The development has garnered a mixed reaction from locals.
“I’d never heard of it until all the fuss,” one wrote on Facebook. “Now, I’m keen to give it a try.”
Another added: “By choosing not to support businesses like Gail's, we're sending a clear message that our community values diversity, fairness, and respect for all.”
Petition signees said they felt Gail’s could threaten independent businesses, but the issue has sparked wider debate about gentrification in north east London.
“Gail’s, although respected for their quality, bring a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores due to their massive scale and advertising reach,” the petition reads.
More than 1,700 have now signed it and Walthamstow resident James Harvey, who started the petition, has said he will not give up the fight to stop Gail’s from opening.
“As some of you may have noticed, Gail’s has put up vinyls at the proposed site in the village, suggesting they are moving ahead,” he said.
“In response, I've reached out to the Walthamstow Village Residents Association, urging them to take action to prevent Gail’s from proceeding with their plans.
“Let's continue to support the local independent businesses that make Walthamstow and the village the vibrant community we cherish, by sharing this petition with others.”
On Orford Road, a sign outside Gail’s states that an application has been lodged with Waltham Forest Council to have seating outside the cafe.
The branch is next to the constituency office of local MP Stella Creasy - a building that had its windows vandalised in the run up to the election.
Gail’s is also opening a branch at St Pancras railway station and similar signage has been seen outside.
A spokeswoman for Gail’s previously said: “We understand the concern around chains, but our view is that a healthy high street is one with a diversity of quality offers, each delivering their best.
“High streets evolve over time and we open our small bakeries often in closed banks or stranded restaurants. All of our bakeries exist in areas where the choices are wide and growing - we should be celebrating the improvement in our food landscapes”.
Gail’s said there is no further statement to add.
