Bakeries once run by an 89-year-old chain part-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan will reopen under a new name after the sites were sold.<\/p>\n
Coughlans Bakery, which had shops in Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and south London, announced it had ceased trading<\/a> in June, blaming high business rates and increases in employers’ national insurance contributions.<\/p>\n Bakery business Janes Pantry, based in Gloucestershire, said it had acquired a number of Coughlans’ shops from the liquidators, and would open 20 shops under its own brand.<\/p>\n Former staff from Coughlans will be invited to reapply for roles at the reopened sites, it added.<\/p>\n The bakery said: “Every shop that reopens means jobs restored, a unit back in use and footfall returning to the high street, which we believe serves everyone’s interests: ours, theirs and the wider local economy’s.”<\/p>\n Other sites within the Coughlan’s estate are subject to further discussions, it added.<\/p>\n Crawley-born Ranganathan, who is vegan, initially became involved with the business<\/a> because of its range of plant-based products, but will not be involved in the new venture.<\/p>\n He previously said he was “gutted”<\/a> the chain had closed.<\/p>\n Former managing director Sean Coughlan had said increases in employers’ national insurance contributions and high business rates “absolutely smashes local business”.<\/p>\n Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell subsequently defended the change<\/a>, saying it was needed to “spend more and invest in our public services”.<\/p>\n Janes Pantry first opened in Gloucester in 1971, and currently runs 12 shops employing more than 100 staff, the bakery said.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external<\/a>, X, external<\/a>, and Instagram, external<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk , external<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n