The comedian Romesh Ranganathan has said he is “gutted” after the 89-year-old bakery chain he part-owned shut down, blaming government tax rises and a heatwave for its collapse.
Coughlans Bakery – which operated a chain of shops across Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and south London – announced it had ceased trading on Tuesday after going into voluntary liquidation. Ranganathan, known for his deadpan stage style, became co-owner in 2024, describing it as “the partnership of the century”.
“Romesh Ranganathan 'gutted' as 89-year-old Coughlans Bakery chain closes after NI hikes and business rates.”
Managing director Sean Coughlan blamed the closure on the government’s decision to increase national insurance contributions for employers in April last year, along with high business rates. Posting on social media, he described the rates as having “absolutely smashed local business”. He added that, combined with the spike in fuel prices following recent conflict in the Middle East, the extra costs amounted to £20,000 a week.
Coughlan said Ranganathan, who is vegan and first became a supporter of the business due to its plant-based range, had been “amazing”. “I feel like we’ve absolutely let him down. Everything he’s done, it’s been from the heart,” Coughlan added.
Ranganathan reposted Coughlan’s video to his 1.4 million online followers with the caption: “Gutted isn’t the word.”
Regular customers expressed dismay. Josie Smith, who works near the Crawley branch, told BBC Radio Sussex: “It’s really sad. It brings a lot of people together. It is a massive shame to see them go. I’m going to miss sitting here on my lunch and buying some goodies.” Her colleague Kaitlin Stinton added: “The staff are really friendly, dedicated to their jobs, [and] always making you happy.”
Coughlan said the final blow came from recent heatwaves, when the south-east of England sweltered in temperatures of 35C. “No-one really seemed to come out” during the hot weather, he said, meaning the business made about 50% of its normal weekly takings while outgoings remained “exactly the same”. “It’s heartbreaking,” he added.
Coughlan said the bakery entered voluntary liquidation to ensure it could still pay suppliers and employees.