In Short

Conran has designs on Coffee Republic
Coffee Republic has appointed Terence Conran’s architecture and design company Conran & Partners to revamp its stores, starting with two outlets in London and Brighton. The decision was prompted by research showing women were less likely to be attracted by the dark colours of the stores’ current interiors. "Design quality is sorely lacking in the other high street coffee shops," said a Conran & Partners spokesman.

Myers re-opens
Myers Bakery in Felling, Gateshead has now re-opened following a possible link to an E-coli outbreak in the area. Experts are continuing to investigate the outbreak. The shop had closed on a voluntary basis on Wednesday 11 November, but the appropriate infection control measures have now been taken by the bakery, and there is no ongoing public health risk.

Bakeries on ’best’ list
Several bakery firms have made it on to The Independent’s recently published list of ’The 50 Best Food Shops’, compiled by a panel of food magazine editors and founder of the Real Food Festival Philip Lowery. On the list were: Flower Power City Bakery; Cinnamon Square; Hambleton Bakery; Falko Konditormeister; Hummingbird Bakery; Gail’s Bakery; and Peyton and Byrne.

EAT expansion
In its review of fast food outlets The Local Data Company has said that outlets, including Pret, EAT and Subway, have benefited in the recession, as consumers opt for fast food over home cooking. From its research into 705 centres in the UK, it found that between 2007 and 2009, EAT has increased its store numbers by 36.4%, Pret by 29.7% and Subway by 25%.