Comedian Romesh Ranganathan 'Gutted' as Bakery Chain He Co-Owns Ceases Trading

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has expressed deep disappointment after Coughlans Bakery, a chain he co-owned, announced it has ceased trading. The 89-year-old bakery operated shops across Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, and south London before entering voluntary liquidation on Tuesday.

Ranganathan became a co-owner of the bakery chain in 2024, a venture he described at the time as "the partnership of the century." He was initially drawn to the business due to its range of plant-based products, as he is vegan.

Managing director Sean Coughlan attributed the closure to a combination of economic pressures, including the government's decision to increase national insurance contributions for employers in April of the previous year and persistently high business rates. Coughlan stated that these rates "absolutely smashed local business."

He further noted that the combined impact of these increased costs, along with a spike in fuel prices following events in the Middle East, had cost the company an additional £20,000 per week. Coughlan praised Ranganathan's support, calling him "amazing" and expressing regret for letting him down.

Ranganathan, who reposted Coughlan's video message to his 1.4 million social media followers, conveyed his sadness with the caption: "Gutted isn't the word."