A famous London bagel shop closed on Wednesday with a “writ of possession” order stuck to the front door.
The Standard visited Beigel Shop on Brick Lane on February 13 and found no such sign, instead a notice from the owners claiming the shop had closed “temporarily”. The door was chained shut.
The sign we saw read: “We will be closed for a short period to conduct electrical maintenance. Stay connected with us on social media for updates and news about our reopening.”
Images shared on social media show a different notice, a High Court order citing a law firm called Thirsk Winton, based in Mayfair and Woodford. It read: “Please note we have taken possession of the above mentioned property.
“Any attempt of re-entry of the said property is an offence and proceedings will be taken for trespass and criminal damage.”
Though the firm did not confirm that it was involved in the case when contacted by the Standard, this paper’s courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk, has since confirmed that the sign is legitimate. A case has been lodged at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court, the case number on the sign is real and a High Court Writ of Possession was issued on January 18 2024 and approved by a King’s Bench Division Master.
Tower Hamlets Council said it was unaware of the closure, while Beigel Shop has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Beigel Shop closed in 2014 under apparently similar circumstances. The Standard reported at the time that it shut due to a family dispute, which required the building’s freeholders to step in and negotiate a financial settlement.
Then, the business, which first opened in 1855, reopened three days later.
Beigel Shop is one of two famous bagel ventures on Brick Lane — the other, still open, is Beigel Bake — and both have regular queues outside.
