Hundreds of people in London’s trendy Walthamstow district have signed a petition against a new bakery opening in the area, with locals complaining about the group’s former chairman’s comments on Covid, Brexit and vigilantism.
Residents of Walthamstow are trying to prevent the opening of Gill’s store, fearing it could lead to a similar fate to other London boroughs, which have seen their high streets taken over by monolithic chains in a now-standard process of gentrification.
Restaurants like Gale, Franco Manca and Wagamama have slowly entered areas with high levels of deprivation, often at the expense of independent competitors.
These stores cater to London’s middle-class workers who have moved to outer boroughs like Waltham Forest in search of cheaper housing.
“While Gails products are respected for their quality, they risk dominating our beloved local stores due to their sheer size and advertising reach,” a statement accompanying the petition read.
“This could lead to reduced visibility and pedestrian traffic towards independently run businesses, threatening their existence and dismantling the character and biodiversity of Walthamstow’s charm.”
The total number of people injured is 384. I signed the petition. On Change.org as of 9:45 GMT this morning.
A representative for Giles’ company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gayle’s outspoken chairman in the spotlight
The main thrust of the protest against urban renewal lies in Walthamstow’s reputation for progressive civic action, which came to the fore after Israel’s invasion of Gaza and, more recently, the riots that swept the UK.
Walthamstow held Mass counter-protest Following far-right demonstrations in major UK cities at the beginning of August, an anti-racism protest is estimated to have drawn a crowd of 10,000 people to the streets of Walthamstow.
Locals claimed that this spirit was unlikely to sit well with the views of the minority in Gill and its chairman, Luke Johnson.
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
While quieter in recent years, Johnson has caused a stir with a series of comments defending Opportunities UK Brexit. Waltham Forest I voted With a 59.1% majority to remain part of the EU in the 2016 referendum.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson has also spoken out against lockdowns, describing them as “medieval” politicsMany hospitality managers have criticised the closures, which have affected their businesses’ profits.
More recently, Johnson has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the left as part of a wider culture war, including protests over events in Gaza.
“Excellent demolition of the appalling woke universities” Johnson Posted on X After sharing an opinion piece in December in Telegraph Student protesters criticised for alleged anti-Semitism.
Johnson previously owned Pizza Express and the now-defunct Patisserie Valerie bakery chain. A proposed sale of Gail’s was delayed in 2017 due to Brexit before Bain Capital Acquired a controlling stake in 2021.
“If you go to the counter protest in Walthamstow but support Gill in Walthamstow you are a huge hypocrite. This man’s narrative is fuel for the far right. We don’t want them in our area,” one person wrote in a comment under the petition.
Johnson’s stance may have contributed to tensions over Gill’s ties to Israel, with pro-Palestinian protesters calling for a boycott of the company over those links.
Gail’s was founded in 2005 by Israeli baker Gail Mejia and entrepreneur Ran Avidan. It was acquired by Johnson’s Bread Holdings in 2011.
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