Romesh Ranganathan's Bakery Chain Collapses
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan expressed devastation after Coughlans Bakery, a chain he co-owned, shut down. The 89-year-old business, operating across Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, and south London, ceased trading on Tuesday following voluntary liquidation. Managing director Sean Coughlan attributed the closure to the government's national insurance hike for employers, high business rates, fuel price spikes from the Middle East conflict, and recent heatwaves that slashed sales by 50%. These factors cost the company an extra £20,000 weekly. Ranganathan, who became co-owner in 2024, called it "the partnership of the century" and reposted Coughlan's video with "Gutted isn't the word." Coughlan praised Ranganathan's heartfelt support and apologized for letting him down.
Key facts
- Coughlans Bakery closed after 89 years in business.
- Romesh Ranganathan became co-owner in 2024.
- Closure blamed on national insurance hike, business rates, fuel prices, and heatwaves.
- Extra costs of £20,000 per week cited.
- Bakery went into voluntary liquidation to pay suppliers and employees.
- Ranganathan described as 'gutted' on social media.
- Managing director Sean Coughlan apologized to Ranganathan.
- Heatwaves in southeast England reached 35°C, reducing sales by 50%.
Entities
Artists
- Romesh Ranganathan
Institutions
- Coughlans Bakery
- BBC
Locations
- Kent
- Surrey
- West Sussex
- south London
- Crawley
- Dorking High Street
- south east of England
- United Kingdom