Ozzie Serin at The Box coffee stand

CAFES and independent businesses in Archway say the arrival of upmarket bakery chain Gail’s will put the squeeze on trade.

The new Gail’s, which is currently under construction, will take over a vacant shop in Junction Road close to the Underground station.

But the “coming soon” boards have been defaced with marker pen messages saying it is not wanted in the area.

Meanwhile, the existing businesses say it will have a harmful effect on their hard work.

Eleventh Kitchen Café is a family-run independent café and kitchen in Archway that has been serving Turkish breakfast food and coffee for 19 years.

Anil Kaygili, whose parents opened it in 2007, told the Tribune: “When it comes to them opening up here, it feels strategic and very planned.

“A lot of businesses get quite upset because they [Gail’s] take a lot of their customer base just because they’re an established brand.

“For independent businesses in this economy, it will drop a lot of them to the point where they have to start shutting down.”

Gail’s, a self-described “modern craft bakery”, was founded in Hampstead in 2005 and now has more than 100 stores in London.

Work continues on a new branch of Gail’s

At the end of 2025 it announced plans to open 40 more sites over the coming year. It has become known for its more expensive cakes and coffees, and unwittingly a byword for the way an area sees gentrification unfold.

In 2024, residents and businesses in Walthamstow launched a campaign and petition to try and stop a Gail’s opening in Orford Road, due to fears of its impact on business there and the wider effect on the area.

Ozzie Serin, who owns The Box, a coffee and news stand that has been based outside Archway Station, said that the demographic of Archway was changing, inviting more café chains to open up on the high street.

Speaking to the Tribune, he said: “Of course it’s going to affect our business here. There are already Starbucks and Costa chains that have opened. There’s a new housing development going up here as well.

“I don’t think Archway is big enough for these kinds of chains all around, especially 100 yards away from each other, you know.

“It will affect them [Gail’s], but it will affect us as well.”

He added: “Without a doubt it’s on the path to gentrification.

“It happens elsewhere as well. When you go on the high street of Highgate, it’s the only shop that’s jam-packed. All the other businesses seem to be empty and there’s nothing else there.

“Obviously our loyal customers will still stick around, but I have no doubt in my mind we’re going to lose customers.”

Gail’s was approached for comment.

Last year the Camden New Journal – the Tribune’s sister newspaper – reported on residents calling for a new branch in Primrose Hill to be boycotted as they tried to keep their local high street free from the same chains seen everywhere else.