Gail's opens first UK airport bakery at Gatwick, sells gifts

Gail's has opened its first bakery in a UK airport, launching at London Gatwick's South Terminal. The cafe and bakery brand said travellers can sit in a spacious seating area or grab-and-go from its pastry and sandwich range, with breakfast items, salads, and hot and cold drinks on offer. The move marks a new chapter for the London-founded chain, which began as a single Hampstead cafe and has since grown to more than 180 outlets across the UK. Alongside food and drink, Gail's is offering an exclusive gifting range for travellers.

Nick Ayerst, Gail's Managing Director, said the company was thrilled to open its first airport location and to build on its presence in London transport hubs. We are thrilled to be opening our first airport location in London Gatwick's South Terminal, building on the established success driven by new locations in London transport hubs. We've developed an extensive range to meet the specific needs of airport passengers and we look forward to sharing freshly baked, high-quality food and specialty coffee to those travelling through London Gatwick and beyond.

Fans on social media welcomed the news, with some calling the opening a 'game changer' and a reason to travel from LGW. At Gatwick, the airport already hosts 28 dining options, with Gail's joining a list that includes Itsu, Wetherspoon, Nando's and Greggs. Last year, Gatwick also opened Sussex House, an eatery that showcases local produce including Bush Barn Farm’s elderflower and rhubarb cordial and Surrey’s Silly Moo Cider, which costs £7.00 a pint.

Gail's rise mirrors a broader trend of brand expansion into transport hubs, but it has faced scrutiny about pricing and gentrification. In London, debates about the impact of chain outlets on independent cafes have resurfaced; in Walthamstow earlier this year, residents signed a petition to block Gail's on the High Street amid fears it could push out smaller operators.

With more than 180 outlets across the UK, Gail's continues to seek locations that connect locals with travelers. The Gatwick debut underscores the brand's push into airports and transport hubs, but observers say success will depend on balancing brand experience with local competition and price sensitivity as travel patterns recover in a post-pandemic landscape.