Janes Bakery has acquired the majority of Coughlans Bakeries’ business and assets, paving the way for 25 of the collapsed chain’s 31 former stores to reopen under new ownership. The deal secures a future for a significant portion of the former estate, potentially creating new employment opportunities as stores return to trading. Janes currently operates a number of outlets across Gloucestershire and sells freshly baked bread, cakes, pastries and other bakery products. This strategic acquisition involves the transfer of specific assets alongside the business operations, ensuring that the physical infrastructure and customer base of the acquired locations can be maintained and utilized by the incoming operator.
Stores to reopen under Janes name
The Coughlans brand is not included in the deal, meaning the acquired stores are expected to reopen under the Janes Bakery name. This approach ensures continuity for customers who frequented the shops, even as the ownership changes hands. The transaction comes after Coughlans ceased trading on 1 July 2026, resulting in more than 170 redundancies. The collapse of the business, which had traded since 1937, marks a significant loss to the local area, leaving a gap in the community that the reopening of these 25 locations aims to address.
BABR co-founder and joint liquidator Paul Bailey said: “From the outset of our appointment, our objective was to secure a purchaser capable of reopening as many locations as possible and preserving employment opportunities where circumstances allowed. This transaction provides 25 of the company’s 31 former locations with the opportunity to trade again and we hope that a significant number of former employees will be able to secure new roles with the purchaser as operations recommence.” The joint liquidators, who include Kirren Keegan alongside Paul Bailey, have successfully handled the sale process to achieve these outcomes.
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Focus on local heritage
Janes Bakery chief executive David Davies said: “Coughlans has been part of local life for generations. When shops close suddenly, the impact is felt by staff, loyal customers and the wider high street. Our job now is to move quickly but responsibly: reopen viable shops under the Janes name, welcome former Coughlans colleagues to reapply as we go, and bring the operating discipline of a heritage baker to a much-loved local bakery estate.”
For former employees, the focus now shifts to the Redundancy Payments Service. They may be entitled to redundancy pay, notice pay, holiday pay and wage arrears through that body. The joint liquidators will continue to carry out their statutory duties following completion of the sale, ensuring that all legal obligations regarding the dissolution of the previous company are met.
