Bread Ahead has come to an agreement with Borough Market to extend the lease of its flagship store.
A little over a month ago, the craft bakery brand reported it was facing eviction from the central London market where it was founded by Matthew Jones in 2013.
Jones claimed his company had apparently become “too successful for Borough Market”, citing its international growth as decisive factor.
However, Bread Ahead revealed it has now resolved the lease issue, saying it was delighted to be staying at Borough Market for the foreseeable future.
“We look forward to continuing to bake for the Borough Market community, with our first mince pies of the season arriving on 13 November,” added the firm.
Shane Holland, chair of the Borough Market Trust, offered an alternative take on the matter, saying their position on the Bread Ahead lease expiry was unchanged.
“Our offer of an extension to 2028 was first discussed in July and has remained on the table throughout our discussions,” he said. “We’ll always work constructively with traders when their lease expires to negotiate an exit plan that works for them and their business.
“We’re pleased that Bread Ahead have now accepted the extension that was offered to them and we look forward to working with them over the remainder of the lease,” Holland added.
Earlier this month, Bread Ahead opened its latest shop in Harpenden, Herts, which not only marked its first branch outside of the capital but also its move to a new owner-operator model for retail expansion. Former head chef at its Wembley site, Emese Dombai Szucs, has taken charge of the 2,500 sq ft premises, which features in-house production, a bakery school, and an all-day dining space with 40 covers.
Products available include the brand’s signature doughnuts and sourdough pizza slices as well as sweet and savoury favourites such as pain au chocolat, almond croissants, cinnamon swirls, brownies, sausage rolls, and spinach & feta pastries.
Bread Ahead currently operates six stores and two market stalls in the UK, a dozen more sites in the Middle East, and one in Thailand. In mid-November, it will open its first New York bakery, on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, whilst also entering the Philippines market with a store at Glorietta 4 mall in Makati, Manila.
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