UK’s Coughlans Bakery acquired out of liquidation

The rescue deal comes several weeks after the Surrey-based bakery entered voluntary liquidation, with its new owner pledging to reopen “viable” stores under new branding

One of the UK’s oldest bakeries has been acquired out of administration just over a month after abruptly closing all its stores.

Founded in 1937, family-run Coughlans Bakery operated 32 stores across the UK’s Southeast before entering voluntary liquidation on 1 July 2026.

Announcing the decision, third-generation owner and Managing Director Sean Coughlan criticised the UK government’s business rates regime as a key factor behind its decline, alongside soaring operational costs.