A bakery chain linked with comedian Romesh Ranganathan has faced financial difficulties, as the owners of the well-known high street bakery, Coughlans Bakery, have announced its liquidation after nearly a century of operation.
Ranganathan, aged 47, a prominent vegan advocate, invested in the esteemed British bakery, Coughlans, in 2024. This marked his unique position as the first non-family member to be part of the bakery’s board in its extensive history of trade.
The comedian became a co-owner and shareholder of Coughlans, which managed a network of over 30 outlets in South London, Surrey, Kent, and West Sussex.
The family-run bakery was renowned for its diverse plant-based selection that included traditional baked goods like doughnuts, cinnamon buns, artisan bread, wild mushroom sausage rolls, and more.
Despite the celebrity endorsement and its reputation as a prominent fixture on the southern High Street, the bakery struggled due to escalating financial challenges in recent times.
The closure of the high street bakery chain has been immediate, with bakery executives attributing the decision to escalating fuel expenses, wage pressures, and changes in national insurance policies.
Owner Sean Coughlan expressed deep sorrow over the closure, highlighting in a social media video shared on June 30 that the bakery was facing additional costs of approximately £20,000 per week due to these financial burdens.
Coughlan lamented the impact of new government regulations on the business, making the model unsustainable despite previous periods of expansion and strong trade.
The recent heatwaves in the UK were cited as the final blow to the struggling bakery, according to Coughlan.
He acknowledged the efforts of his team, particularly comedian Romesh Ranganathan, whom he felt they had let down, emphasizing Ranganathan’s genuine contributions to the bakery.
Ranganathan shared a brief message online expressing his disappointment over the closure, reaffirming his partnership with a saddened emoji and a heartfelt caption.
The closure of the bakery marked an emotional moment for the entire team, with operations ceasing immediately after the announcement on June 30.