Romesh Ranganathan Gutted as Coughlans Bakery Closes Down
The Heartbreak on Our High Street
For nearly nine decades, Coughlans Bakery has been the comforting, aromatic heartbeat of our local high streets across Surrey, Kent, and West Sussex. From busy mornings in Crawley to quiet afternoons in our historic commuter towns, this family-founded staple has served as more than just a place to buy a loaf of bread. It has been a community landmark, a reliable meeting spot, and a symbol of local resilience. Regulars like Josie Smith and Kaitlin Stinton, who frequented the Crawley branch during their lunch breaks, highlight just how deeply embedded these shops were in our daily lives. The sudden closure of all branches following voluntary liquidation has left a massive, quiet void in our town centres. It reflects a wider, worrying trend affecting our neighbourhood spaces. While local homeowners are investing in their properties—often hiring Guilford builders for a modern loft conversion or a complete loft refurbishment to maximise their space—our high street businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to survive in the very same neighborhoods. The loss of Coughlans reminds us that the physical character of our communities is rapidly changing, both in our residential streets and our commercial hubs.
The Human Cost of High Street Decline
Behind the counter of every Coughlans branch were the friendly, dedicated staff members who knew their customers by name. This personal touch is what drew Crawley-born comedian Romesh Ranganathan to the brand. An outspoken vegan, Ranganathan became a co-owner in 2024, aiming to champion the bakery’s innovative plant-based range. He described the venture as the partnership of the century and was left gutted by the sudden collapse. Managing director Sean Coughlan expressed deep remorse over the closure, explaining that escalating pressures had simply become too heavy to bear. A combination of rising national insurance contributions, skyrocketing energy costs fueled by international conflicts, and punitive business rates added an extra twenty thousand pounds a week to their outgoings. To make matters worse, recent intense summer heatwaves, which saw temperatures soar to 35C in the South East, acted as the final blow. Footfall plummeted by half as residents stayed indoors, yet the bakery’s fixed overheads remained unchanged. Despite the best efforts of the owners and their passionate team, entering voluntary liquidation became the only viable way to ensure that local suppliers and hard-working staff members were paid what they were rightfully owed.
What This Means for Us and What to Watch Next
The departure of an eighty-nine-year-old institution like Coughlans is a stark wake-up call for all of us who cherish our local independent businesses. Our high streets are facing an unprecedented identity crisis, and without active intervention, we risk losing the unique character that defines our towns. As residents, the most immediate action we can take is to actively consciously direct our spending toward local independent traders, cafes, and family-run shops. We must also keep a close eye on grassroots campaigns lobbying the government for urgent business rate relief and support for small businesses. Watch out for upcoming community council meetings and high street regeneration forums where you can voice your concerns about empty commercial units. While it is heartening to see our residential areas thrive with home improvements like a loft conversion or a stylish loft refurbishment, we must ensure our public spaces remain vibrant and viable too. The loss of Coughlans is a painful chapter, but it should inspire us to rally around our remaining local entrepreneurs before more historic doors close for good.
Source: Romesh Ranganathan ‘gutted’ as his South East bakery chain shuts down
