A Sussex seaside town has been left divided over fresh plans to open a new Gail’s branch – as the upmarket bakery chain is welcomed by independent businesses but faces a revolt from locals.
Some residents have raised fears that the planned bakery within a conservation area of Worthing, West Sussex, is out of keeping with the historic setting, but local cafés say the town ‘needs all the help it can get’.
Local preservation group the Worthing Society said the ‘illuminated hanging sign’ on the narrow shopping street could be ‘overly dominant’ and ‘set a precedent’.
And while owners of some family-run cafés warned existing local businesses were ‘struggling as it is’ and could lose custom or even be forced to close for good, others say it will ‘bring more people to the street’.
Despite the backlash, Gail’s is going ahead with the refurbishment of the unit, which was previously occupied by Italian restaurant Nonna’s Kitchen and then MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt’s now-defunct restaurant…