Gail’s Bakery - is it really all that?

[BarrellChested]

When a Gail’s Bakery opened within walking distance of the office where I worked, people could barely contain their excitement. It felt like something magical had been bestowed on us, and I maybe got caught up in the hype.

I was aware of Gail’s before, of course, but had never been to one.

The great day arrived - a few of us went over and it was…… fine. Nice coffee and a decent enough pastry. But nothing beyond what I’ve had at the myriad of other coffee shops in the area.

Yet still my colleagues talk about it in reverential tones. So maybe it’s just me that doesn’t get it.

AIBU?

And loads of them aren't behind a glass screen.

Our local John Lewis has some sandwiches and cakes behind a screen. But also a big display in the middle of the cafe of cakes which are not behind a screen and people can use self service to pick them up with tongs.

I had a Pain au chocolat from Gail’s and it was proper shit

They have an interesting algorithm to work out where to pen next. It has to have x amount of independent shops etc.

i never understand the love for them, over priced and dry. Normally the independents are doing what they are 10x better but gails is the one with the queue

This sounds yum. I would add more salt though, so I hear a little crunch when I bite ☺️

Their loaf cakes are good (especially the MN fave - lemon drizzle) - taste v homemade (if you want to pass one off as your own!)
They are about 12 quid I think, which sounds pricey, but you get a lot of slices and it's great for a last minute tea date or a host gift or somesuch.

Only the other day dh told me that not only is a Gail’s soon to open in Tooting*, but also an M&S Food.
*SW17, once not considered by estate agents to be ‘sort after’, as some of them like to put it, but for some years now said to be ‘gentrifying’.

All it needs now is a Waitrose!

(I’m very fond of Tooting, before anyone thinks I’m snootily sneering.).

Spinach and feta parcel thing is delish, as are the cinnamon buns. But it’s a rare treat because of the prices

Yes - the algorithm will be to determine which areas are wealthy enough for them to flourish in those areas.

Waitrose is a sign of an area being prosperous, so are lots of independent shops including Gail's. Successful companies do extensive research before deciding to open a branch in a certain area.

Yep I only just found out. Work in Manchester and had no idea, googled and found the fucker has been there for 3 years! To be fair to me I work on Oxford Road and don’t venture that side of the city often, not unless there’s issues with Piccadilly and I have to go to Victoria but I’d never pass the Gails naturally.

I'm not a fan of their pastries which I think are too crispy / flaky - I prefer mine on the less well done side.

I loved the little honey cakes they used to do and I think the sausage rolls are the best in my local area. Love their little spinach pastry things too.

All the savoury options on offer made me feel sick to be honest

I’m predicting they’ll have branches by the end of the year in Headingley (Leeds) and Aigburth (Liverpool).

from memory waitrose is part of the algorithm.

don’t they say having a local Waitrose increases the property value

Back in the day, the housing market grew around this whole concept, Kirstie and Phil featuring ‘the next area to the one you can’t currently afford’ and the brands moving in. I remember a buzz on the high street when a Costa was opening that dates me or when a Pizza Express popped up you’d scored in a decent family area and the Ofsted outstanding rating soon followed. The ultimate was Waitrose- if you purchased your property before they opened nearby you’ll be quids in. I value independent shops and need green spaces for me to think it’s a nice area nowadays.
Sorry for wandering off topic, back to the Gail’s pr team chat pastry chat…

Always intrigued by these kind of comments.

Have you genuinely sampled everything else they offer? They do a huge range of items.

Never been in because I cannot and would not justify queuing up down the street for a scone and cup of tea! The queues are always nuts in both York and Ilkley so I’m glad to read it’s shit tbh.

I haven't RTFT but I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

You will need to add Pizza Express to your list. And Little Caesar's, Wingstop, Jersey Mike's, Dunkin Donuts, Outback Steakhouse, Baskin-Robbins and Starbucks.

Bains also own Valeo, which includes a number of brands including Jacobs, Rowse honey, Kettle Chips, Odlums, Barratt confectionery, and Balconi as well as Poppets and XX mints.

They also invest in Fresh Direct and Brakes - Brakes provide most of the pub grub meals such as Wetherspoons and they also supply food to the NHS and a lot of schools.

I don't have enough contempt for its clients.

Full of people trying to pretend they re speshul, discerning and oh so soffistickated. No, you're not, you're run of the mill standard poser, the place is a basica wildlife reserve.

If you really like good pastries and coffee and a community vibe, go support your local independent businesses, not a chain.

Never heard of them until recently, certainly none in our neck of the woods, apparently the closest is 75 miles away, so I won’t be rushing to try. However, I understand from a recent BBC article that they do an excellent sandwich for those wishing to exceed their recommended daily salt intake in one go

I hate Gail's with a passion. I cannot believe they opened one in Herne Hill, where they have so many great local cafes. Buy independent!

When they first started opening (about a decade ago?) there were only a few of them and their pastries and bread were really good. I remember getting one of those custard blueberry brioche things and it was a thing of beauty. Now they are a bit average - but that’s pretty much what happens with every restaurant and cafe that expands this much - it all becomes mass produced and cheaper ingredients and processes get used.

they reach their peak, make lots of money and then start scaling back or going bust completely.

Remember Carluccios? It was great for a while. 20 years ago it was in a high. Then the food got worse and worse - sloppy, not fresh, not keeping up with competition.

I know what you mean! Walked past the York one a few times with the huge queue snaking around the corner. It wasn't too bad when we went in - it was the reason we went because it was the only time we saw it fairly clear, to try the famous Bettys in York. Was a horrific weather day though and both times it out of tourist season (we lived in Leeds). Such a disappointment, but not for the pigeon I threw my food to!

The Ilkley one was fine when popped in, not even that busy. We'd been for a walk up the cow and calf, was proper hungry and I gave that food to the pigeons too. 😁

Oh the Cow and Calf pub is lovely if you’re ever up there again!

You feel that strongly about people buying coffee?

FWIW our local high street has never been able to sustain an independent coffee shop. Lots have tried but they’ve been cafes that serve coffee rather than coffee-led third wave places so people give up once they’ve had too many inconsistently made coffees. There is absolutely no shortage of leisure spend either.

The next town over sustains a beloved third wave coffee shop AND a Gail’s because the independent’s coffee is good.

Gail’s has done well because people simply want their coffee to taste the same every time they buy it. It’s not my first choice but it’s reliable.