Family Bakery Closes After 87 Years, Blaming Reeves and Starmer for ‘Devastating’ Tax Hikes

Coughlans, a beloved family-run bakery operating for nearly 90 years, has announced its closure, with owners directly blaming Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer for “devastating” tax increases. The business, with 31 stores, entered voluntary liquidation after an extra £20,000 in weekly costs became unsustainable.

The closure marks the end of an era for Coughlans, a company founded in 1937 by Jack Coughlan. Its co-owner, Sean Coughlan, pointed to a combination of soaring fuel prices, exacerbated by the Iran war, and the National Insurance hike as the primary reasons for the bakery’s demise, impacting high streets across Britain.

The Crushing Weight of New Costs

Coughlans, a fixture across south London and the South East, could no longer absorb an additional £20,000 in costs each week. This financial burden forced the company, which had seen growth and new store openings, into voluntary liquidation.

The bakery, co-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan since 2024, had been on an upward trajectory. Its Oxted High Street store in Surrey was a local landmark, notably just minutes from where Sir Keir Starmer grew up.

The Owners Speak Out: “Affected Us More Than We Could Have Ever Imagined”

It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I’m bringing you the news that sadly we at Coughlans Bakery are closing our doors today for the last time. The last two months with the fuel prices from the war, new National Insurance charges and higher rates are costing us an extra £20,000 per week… This has affected us more than we could have ever imagined.

— Sean Coughlan, Co-owner, Coughlans Bakery

Sean Coughlan’s statement highlights the immediate and severe impact of recent economic pressures. He explicitly links the bakery’s closure to the “new National Insurance charges and higher rates” alongside rising fuel costs, asserting that these factors instantly hit the high street when new taxes became reality in April.

Key Facts Behind the Closure

• Coughlans Bakery, established in 1937, has ceased trading after 87 years.
• Owners directly blame Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer for “devastating” tax hikes.
• The company faced an unsustainable extra £20,000 in costs every single week.
• Soaring fuel prices from the Iran war and the National Insurance hike are cited as key factors.
• 31 stores across south London and the South East have now closed their doors permanently.

What This Means for Britain

This isn’t just about a bakery; it’s about the very fabric of our communities. When a family business, a local landmark for generations, is forced to close, it’s your high street that suffers, your local economy that shrinks, and your neighbours who lose their jobs. This closure is a stark warning of what happens when politicians ignore the real-world impact of their tax policies.

The loss of Coughlans, which was growing and opening new stores, signals a dangerous trend for British businesses. Increased costs, driven by political decisions, directly translate into fewer jobs, less investment, and a further squeeze on the cost of living for every working family in Britain.

This pattern of blaming external factors while implementing crippling domestic policies reveals a deep disconnect from the struggles faced by ordinary Britons and their businesses. It’s a broken promise to support enterprise, leaving a trail of closures and shattered livelihoods.

If this continues, more beloved local businesses will vanish, leaving gaping holes in our communities and our economy. This isn’t just a news story; it’s a critical moment for Britain to demand accountability and a change of course before it’s too late.

Share if you believe Britain deserves better than to watch its heritage disappear under the weight of political missteps. Demand answers from your MP. This must be seen by every British voter.

Source: GB News Politics | Breaking Brexit News