If you’ve visited London recently, you may have stopped by a cute little artisanal bakery called Gail’s – offering fresh bread, handmade pastries and speciality coffee. Where is it? Oh, just on pretty much every street corner! An almost cult-like following has seen this artisanal bakery/chain cafe conquer the capital.
The first bakery opened in Hampstead in 2005, but it boasts over 100 branches across the UK – most of which are in London. If you wanted to find out what all the fuss is about in the South West, you’d have to travel to Oxford (where you’d find three Gail’s). Well, not for much longer.
Bristol will be able to experience Gail’s for itself very soon. Heading to Clifton Village, it looks like it will open up on Regent Street between The Clifton and Shelter Charity Shop. We don’t know much about when other than it promises to “be baking here soon”, as well as hiring staff for when it opens.
If at all like other Gail’s locations, you’ll be able to treat yourself to a range of classic pastries (pain au chocolate, cinnamon bum and almost croissants, you know the kind). Gail’s also stocks various types of sourdough bread, lunch options – from salads to bagels to quiches – and homemade cakes. Plus, its house-blend speciality coffee that you can buy a bag of to take home.
Only one question remains: Will it be able to compete with the best bakeries in Bristol? Only time will tell. But when places like Farro in St Pauls are regularly name-dropped as among the best in the country, and Wilson’s Bread Shop can serve koji-cured bacon rolls and mezcal bloody mary – Gail’s has a mountain to climb.
To learn more about Gail’s head here.