Ritika Janiya
Outrage in Walthamstow over a new Gail’s Bakery on Orford Road, and for once, it has nothing to do with their overpriced cakes but everything to do with chairman Luke Johnson’s political views. Perhaps that raises the question of whether one’s politics should affect where we buy our bread. This is one of those weird stories that underlines rising tension between community values and business ownership.
In this lively neighborhood of Walthamstow, a small storm has been brewing, and it’s not about the weather. Residents here are up in arms—not because they don’t like the idea of a new bakery but because who owns it. Gail’s Bakery, the rather posh chain famed for fancy treats, has planned to open a new shop on Orford Road. But some locals aren’t too happy about it—and their reasons go way beyond the price of a muffin.
You might think it’s that Gail’s bits of chocolate and tahini are a bit too ostentatious for this area, or perhaps the in-store bakery, which has a distinctly upmarket feel, does not really square with Walthamstow’s down-to-earth charm. The real problem, though, according to many locally, is Luke Johnson, the chairman of Gail’s. Johnson is a high-profile businessman whose conservative views jar with the largely left-leaning residents of Walthamstow.
One of the residents, Lucy Barnes, had claimed in a petition that Johnson’s political views represent “the exact fuel that feeds the far right.” Another resident named Adrian Spurden subsequently emerged to express that the views expressed by Johnson are “very different from the people here.”
Indeed, Johnson’s political stances stirred controversy. He has publicly opposed lockdowns, criticized climate activists, and called out what he views as the “wokeness” of universities. He has also expressed support for Brexit—something that did not go down so well in Walthamstow, where most people voted to remain in the European Union. For many residents, this is a big political division, and they feel uncomfortable supporting a business run by someone whose beliefs are so far away from their own.
It does beg the question, however: Should the political views of a business owner affect whether or not we support their business? Is it fair to judge a bakery by the politics of its chairman rather than by the quality of its bread?
Imagine that attitude spreading to all the other shops in Walthamstow. Before you could buy anything, you’d have to quiz every owner about their politics. “I’d love to buy that quiche,” you might say, “but first, can you tell me where you stand on the issue of private school VAT?”
This approach, some may suggest, is overdoing things. After all, Britain has an extremely long history of holding politics and business apart. We’re supposed to vote privately and come together over more neutral topics—like the ever-unpredictable British weather.
But in Walthamstow, politics seem to have invaded even the most mundane activities, not least the purchase of a loaf of bread. So strong is the desire of some locals to keep conservatism out of their area that they are prepared to boycott a bakery, no matter how fine the croissants.
It has also resulted in some quipping that Walthamstow is rapidly becoming a sort of “ghetto,” where only firms espousing the “right” political views can operate. It’s literally as though there’s a sign that says, “Only socialist-baked cakes may trade here; anything else isn’t allowed.”.
But what would Walthamstow look like if this attitude prevailed? Picture a high street containing only the most neutered and uncontroversial shops. Greggs, KFC, and Costa Coffee may be safe choices, but anything with a whiff of political controversy would be forbidden. No more Gail’s unless it agrees to toe the majority line on politics.
Some will argue that Walthamstow would be worse for it. After all, variety is the spice of life and a range of business can help to add to the charm of a community. But if people continue to let politics guide their shopping habits they might end up with a high street about as charmless as a plain white loaf.
So what’s the answer? Perhaps it is time Walthamow took a step back and questioned if it was all worth fighting over some bakery. After all, should the place where you buy your morning coffee be a battleground for political belief?
Ultimately, it’s probably best to let the bread speak for itself. If Gail’s is baking up tasty pastries and good coffee, then maybe that should be enough in itself. Mustn’t there be enough division in the world without bringing it into our breakfast choices?
