Bread Ahead bakery secures lease extension at Borough Market

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 19:08 · Archive

Bread Ahead bakery has secured a lease extension to remain at London's Borough Market until at least March 2028.

Bread Ahead bakery has secured an extension allowing it to continue operating its baking school at Borough Market in Southwark, south London, until at least March 2028. The deal ends weeks of uncertainty over the future of the business, which has operated at the market since 2013. The bakery, known for its filled doughnuts and artisan breads, faced concerns it might be forced to leave.

Founder Matthew Jones said the agreement had eased stress surrounding the tenancy. He told the BBC the past few weeks had been "pretty stressful" because of uncertainty. Shane Holland, chairman of the Borough Market Trust, said the extension had first been discussed in July and remained on the table throughout recent negotiations. A Borough Market spokesperson described the leasing arrangements as "complex", with different terms applicable to certain areas of the business, and separate pitch licenses for stalls within the market that sell Bread Ahead's products.

Jones told the BBC in September he had been told the lease was ending because the business was "too successful", with international expansion. He said Bread Ahead still considered itself a small business despite its growth, because it remained family-run and self-funded. Jones said he did not think he and the market would ever completely agree on the decision, but added: "We're not going to be at Borough forever." He said the business would look for alternative premises in the local area during the extension period.

How it is being reported

• Bakery secures 2028 Borough Market lease extensionNo agreement has been made on Bread Ahead's long-term presence within Borough Market.BBC London · 23 Oct, 18:32
• Beloved London bakery announces it is staying after closure fearsBread Ahead has confirmed it will remain at London's Borough Market after reaching a lease agreement, following fears the popular bakery could be forced to leave.This Is Local London · 22 Oct, 12:09

In this story: Bread Ahead · Borough Market · Matthew Jones · Shane Holland · Southwark · London

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