If you’ve been to London anytime recently, you might’ve popped into a cute little artisanal bakery called Gail’s – serving everything from fresh bread to handmade pastries and speciality coffee. You can’t have missed it, there’s pretty much one on every street corner. Thanks to an almost cult-like following, the artisanal bakery-cum-chain cafe has conquered 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. It’s basically like a Gregg’s but for Londoners (and wannabee Londoners). Until very recently, you couldn’t find a single one in the West Midlands, however, and would’ve had to travel to either Oxford (where there are three) or Manchester (where there are five) to find out what all the fuss is.
But that’s no longer the case. After the Blank Street hype blew the roof off the Bullring, Gail’s went ahead and opened in Solihull recently. It wasn’t the first Gail’s in the West Midlands either, with one already in Stratford-upon-Avon – on the High Street, between WH Smith and Waterstones.
If you’d like to support your independent Birmingham bakeries – check out our favourites here – it won’t be long until Gail’s is in Birmingham either. It’s due to open on New Street on January 16, 2025, “serving GAIL’s artisan sourdough breads, pastries, sandwiches, and cakes alongside our specialty House Blend coffee.”
We’d also previously reported a location would open in Moseley shortly – with Gail’s looking to hire a Bakery Manager (£40,850 P/A) and an Assistant Manager (£33,000 P/A) in the area. These roles are no longer advertised, but we’re unsure whether they are filled or no longer required. But there are a number of vacancies for Birmingham New Street, Solihull and, an unannounced, Leamington Spa. To learn more head here.
You’ll be able to visit Gail’s in Birmingham at 42a New Street, Birmingham, B2 4RQ from January 16, 2025.