Fast-growing posh bakery chain to open in Harrogate

Artisan bakery chain Gail’s is to open a new branch in Harrogate, and there are rumours it will be on James Street, the Stray Ferret can reveal.

The company is currently advertising for a bakery manager, with an annual salary of £42,000, and an assistant manager (£32,900), but its website offers few clues as to where the branch will be, offering just a Starbeck postcode.

But sources tell us that the new bakery will actually open in the town-centre unit formerly occupied by shoe shop Russell & Bromley, which announced its intention to vacate the premises in January.

If this happens, Gail’s looks set to provide stiff competition for takeaway lunch café Prêt à Manger, just opposite.

Gail’s, which has its headquarters in Camden, London, has more than 180 branches, mainly across London and the South East, and plans to open a further 40 over the coming months.

Although it has several shops around Greater Manchester and Merseyside, this will be the company’s first branch in Yorkshire.

The brand is one of the fastest-growing café chains in London, and positions itself at the higher end of the bakery business, with pistachio and chocolate croissants selling for £4.30 and boxes of eight cinnamon buns going for £30.50.

The Stray Ferret has contacted Gail’s to ask for confirmation of the new shop’s location.