Why is a new Gail's Bakery in south London so controversial?

"It's been voted the best bakery chain in Britain, but its expansion continues to divide locals who favour independent coffee shops. Love or loathe a bougie Gail's Bakery, another branch is due to open in south London - and some residents are not happy. The upmarket cafe, which is known for its £5 sourdough loaves and cinnamon buns, will open next month in the former Coopers pub in Westow Hill, Crystal Palace. Gail's currently has over 100 bakeries in London."

"'I think we'd all be lying if we said we weren't worried about this giant moving in. 'Our café in the triangle doesn't make a profit. Yes, we are busy on weekends but this doesn't cover our weekday losses. It's tough out there and we are all fighting to stay afloat. Our friends and neighbours and all the small cafes on the triangle are trembling.'"

Gail's Bakery will open a new branch next month in the former Coopers pub on Westow Hill in Crystal Palace. The upmarket cafe is known for £5 sourdough loaves and cinnamon buns and operates over 100 London bakeries. Independent cafes in the Crystal Palace Triangle fear diminished trade and financial strain because the new site is large and used to be a pub. A local cafe owner reported that small cafes are 'trembling' and that weekday losses leave her business unprofitable despite busy weekends. Similar community resistance has occurred in Walthamstow Village, Primrose Hill and Stoke Newington.

Read at Time Out London