Bread Ahead founder says Borough Market lease is at risk

He was told the business had become “too successful” for the market.

Bread Ahead founder Matthew Jones has said the bakery’s future at London’s Borough Market is uncertain after being told its international growth means its lease will not be reviewed.

Jones, who founded Bread Ahead at Borough Market in 2013, said he was told the business had become “too successful” for the market.

“Yes, we have grown,” he said. “But surely that should be something to celebrate, not a reason to ask us to leave.”

Jones added that the uncertainty over the lease is particularly difficult given the current business environment, adding that it leaves the company unclear about the future of its team, business, and presence in the market.

He said that the issue was about more than the lease, describing Borough Market as the home of Bread Ahead since the business began.

Bread Ahead began with a small market stall selling three products.

Jones said there was no major investment or corporate backing behind the business when it launched.

Over the past 13 years, the business has expanded to include a bakery and baking school and has grown beyond London into an international business.

Jones said the company has taught tens of thousands of people to bake and created jobs during that period.