66-Year-Old Cherished East London Bakery Chain Percy Ingle Will Close All Shops

Updated with statement from the company.

Cherished 66-year-old east London bakery chain Percy Ingle will close all of its shops, the Newham Recorder reports.

The bakery, which was founded in Hackney in 1954, had reopened its 48 shops on 13 May following the government-mandated shutdown of all non-essential retailers on 27 March. Percy Ingle was popular with its local communities — selling bread, traditional London sweet and savoury pastries, and cakes at affordable prices. It was also known for its commitment to addressing gender pay inequality among its employees.

In a subsequent statement, Percy Ingle said it had made the decision based on a host of factors, including a shortage of capital investment, rising costs across the board, and increased competition on the high street. It said:

Labour MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting expressed his sadness on Twitter this lunchtime: “Sorry to see a good East End bakery like Percy Ingle’s closing after more than 50 years, especially for all the staff and those who’ve fought to keep it going against the double whammy of high street pressures and now covid-19,” he said.

Late last year, the company had begun modernising its shops with a new corporate identity. Beginning with its original bakery on Broadway Market in Hackney, it piloted a new-look dark green colour palette, a new name, Ingles, and a renewed commitment to environmental responsibility.

The company has confirmed all its stores would close, but has not responded to Eater request for comment on the reasons behind the decision.

Numerous local news sites have reported that stores in Bethnal Green, Bow, Poplar, Canning Town, Plaistow, Stratford, Ilford, Forest Gate, East Ham, Dagenham, Barking, Upton Park, Barkingside, Romford, Hornchurch, Collier Row, and Harold Hill have already closed.

More soon.

• All Percy Ingle bakeries to close [Newham Recorder]