Gail's MD: 'We have a good run in the UK ahead of us'

The managing director of Gail's has said its research shows there are 300 – 500 locations the brand could successfully open across the UK.

Marta Pogroszewska told the Lunch! show in London that the 121-strong bakery chain was eyeing expansion and hoped to open 30 new stores in the current financial year.

She said Gail's could also explore different models for its stores and "different ways to look at the brand" as it grew.

"There is a high demand for what we do," Pogroszewska said.

"The bakery space is very interesting right now, there are so many new entries. Some brands are actually converting and adding bakeries into their models which is interesting to see.

"We have quite a good run in the UK ahead of us."

Gail's was founded in the 1990s by Gail Mejia and opened its first bakery in London's Hampstead in 2005.

Pogroszewska said Gail's was "mindful" of health trends and considered the level of calories, salt and sugar in its products.

She said it was "definitely a topic of conversation" for the brand around how it could innovate its menu.

Pogroszewska added that Gail's had been working on its sustainability credentials for a long time but had not been "good at telling that story".

"We're making more of a conscious effort to tell that story, not only because it's something people would love to know, but also to spread the word," she said.

"Now as we grow as a brand we have a stronger voice, [and] there [is] some inspiration people could take from what we do."

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