Croydon history: the always-busy, ever-dependable Coughlans in the Allders Arcade. Both are now just fond memories of a bygone town centre
175 jobs to go across south London, Surrey and Sussex as family-run bakery based in Thornton Heath goes into voluntary liquidation
Coughlan’s bakers, their daily bread a staple of Croydon’s high streets for almost 90 years, has ceased trading.
The shock announcement was made on social media late yesterday by Sean Coughlan, the third generation to run the Thornton Heath-based family business. Around 175 jobs are likely to be lost across the company’s 31 stores across south London, in Surrey and Sussex.
Coughlan’s survived a World War, several financial disasters and, mostly, the covid lockdown (though no thanks to Croydon Council’s shambolically slow distribution of emergency grants).
But according to Coughlan, what they could not survive was Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ employers’ National Insurance increase, a rise in business rates and the latest heatwaves in May and June.
Coughlan also cited other pressures on business that had contributed to the decision, such as the doubling of the company’s fuel bill since the start of Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
Emotional announcement: Sean Coughlan breaking the news about the closure
Coughlan referred to making the closure announcement as something “that I never thought I would have to do in my lifetime”.
Coughlan says that he and the company’s directors had taken the decision to put the firm in voluntary liquidation in order that they might settle their bills with suppliers and pay their staff’s wages.
He said: “Rates have absolutely smashed local retail.
“We’ve had everything thrown at us, sadly, and… all of our ingredients have gone through the roof… and the nail in the coffin has been these two heatwaves when nobody seems to come out. We literally take about 50% of what we would normally take in a normal week, with our outgoings still exactly the same.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”
He said he is “devastated”, as 41 members of the Coughlan family had worked within the business over its 89 years.
“Actually, change that: 42. Romesh is an honorary Coughlan,” he said, referring to comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who bought shares in the company two years ago and has frequently appeared in marketing videos and behind the counters in store, after discovering a taste for some of Coughlan’s vegan products.
“Please understand we’re hurting, hurting a lot,” Coughan said.
Coughlan said that the company’s costs had recently risen by £20,000 per week. “This has affected us more than we could have ever imagined, which is so devastating, as March was a fantastic month, as was a lot of last year with our growth with new stores.
“But as soon as April’s new government rules on NI, wages and rates hit, it instantly hit the high street.
Celebrity endorsement: Romesh Ranganathan joined the firm two years ago
“It’s been our absolute honour to have served you all our tasty treats and thank you all for your incredible support and love, and we will miss you all. Thank you to all our team over the last 89 years that made Coughlans Bakery the fun environment it has been.”
Coughlan added, in reference to Ranganathan, “Fingers crossed we can do something in the future as our partnership is very special.”
And Coughlan finished the statement by saying, “Please, please, please remember to shop local. Our high streets need your love.”
Between the covid lockdown in 2020 and late 2024, Coughlans had enjoyed a four-year period of unprecedented growth, going from 19 to 31 stores, including opening a branch in Crawley, the home town of Ranganathan.
The Coughlans baker’s shops across south London, Surrey and Susex to close include:
220 High Street, Croydon; 299 Lower Addiscombe Road; the Thornton Heath head office and bakery at 21-29 Sandringham Road; 188 High Street, Beckenham; 99 Station Road, West Wickham; 913 Brighton Road, Purley; 92 High Street, Banstead; 2 Chaldon Road, Caterham on the Hill; 17, Croydon Road, Caterham; 223 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon; 130 Brighton Road, Coulsdon; 4 Maidenbower Square, Crawley; 259 Brighton Road, South Croydon; 502 London Road, Thornton Heath; 136 High Street, Dorking; 3 Horton Retail Centre, Pelman Way, Epsom; 9 Forestdale Centre, Featherbed Lane; 77 High Street, Godstone; 78 Victoria Road, Horley; 102 Blackbridge Lane, Horsham; 1 Piries Place Shopping Centre, Horsham; 21 High Street, Lingfield; 9 Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood; 33 Nork Way, Banstead; 1a Lacey Green, Coulsdon Road, Old Coulsdon; 76 Station Road East, Oxted; 14 High Street, Reigate; 32 The Broadway, Stoneleigh; 5 The Parade, Stafford Rd, Wallington; 58 Woodcote Road, Wallington; 401 Limpsfield Road, Warlingham; 15 High Street, Westerham; and 99 Station Road, West Wickham.
Coughlans’ announcement brought hundreds of messages of goodwill and sadness at the news.
“Absolutely gutted for you all,” said one of Facebook. “Being forced into having to make this decision that affects all your team through no fault of your own.
“This government have crucified so many great businesses over the last 2 years through poor decision-making and this is another prime example. Have loved buying your products over the years and as a vegan, one of the few bakeries where the majority of your range was suitable.”
First venture: Jack Coughlan opened his baker’s shop on the corner of Mayday Road in 1937. It continued trading there until yesterday
Another wrote: “So sorry. You only have to read some of the comments to realise this was not just a great family business that has suffered, it is umpteen high streets, people and communities. Shows the character of the firm to come out and be so honest with everyone. You let nobody down and have contributed so much to so many.”
One social media commenter put things succinctly: “I will never find another jam doughnut like a Coughlan’s jam doughnut.”
While another said: “I am so so sorry to hear this news. Your family has been part of the fabric of my home town of Croydon for all of my life and it’s so sad to see that go.”
Some noted memories of ordering cakes from Coughlan’s for special occasions down the years, including one who had their wedding cake from the bakers 50 years ago.
Some customers had not given up hope, though: “Can’t believe you’ve had to do this and just so so sad. If I have the winning Euro lottery ticket for tonight I would bail you out to keep going.”
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, as featured on Google News Showcase, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
