Hundreds of people have signed a petition trying to stop the upmarket Gail’s Bakery chain moving into an east London neighbourhood.
The chain, which opened its first branch in Hampstead almost 20 years ago, is planning to open in Walthamstow Village but petition organisers sat their “vibrant local neighbourhood” is better served by existing “local, independent and family-run businesses”.
They said: “Gails, although respected for their quality, bring a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores due to their massive scale and advertising reach. This could lead to decreased visibility and pedestrian traffic towards independently run businesses, threatening their very existence and dismantling the character and diversity crucial to Walthamstow's charm.
“Crucially, studies have shown that local businesses recycle a higher share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the entire community.”
Among those who signed the petition was Joanne Bertram who said she wanted “the area to retain its independent shops” and Amanda Davidson who said Gail’s would be “a threat to local businesses”.
The petition had attracted more than 330 signatures by 7.30am on Wednesday.
Walthamstow regularly features in lists of London’s coolest neighbourhoods and the village is the most gentrified part of the east London area.
The presence of a Gail’s on a high street is perceived as a reliable marker that an area is moving up market and is said to have inspired the Liberal Democrat’s general election campaign with the party’s strategy - dubbed Operation Cinnamon Bun - targeting the sort of well-heeled voters who frequent the chain.
The firm has been approached for a comment.
