kritika 
Yes — Bakery jobs at Coughlans are returning, but with a significant twist: the chain has been refranchised, and workers will have to reapply for their jobs. The South-East England based bakery chain, however, which was in voluntary administration in July 2026, leaving 170 employees redundant, has been taken over by Janes Bakery Limited of Gloucester. As many as 25 of the 31 stores may reopen, but there aren’t any guarantees for the former employees.
Quick Facts: Coughlans Bakery Jobs — What You Need to Know
| Detail | Info |
| Original closure date | 1 July 2026 |
| Workers made redundant | 170 |
| Total stores closed | 31 |
| Stores expected to reopen | Up to 25 |
| Acquiring company | R. Janes Bakery Limited (Gloucestershire) |
| Re-apply by former employees? | Yes |
| New brand name | Janes Bakery |
| Founded | 1937 |
What Happened to Coughlans Bakery?
For almost 90 years, since 1937, Coughlans Bakery had been an established part of the high streets of South-East England, providing fresh bread, pastries and loyal customers. The family-owned chain, however, was left with no road ahead in the summer of 2026.
The business pointed to the steep increase in its fuel bills coupled with increases in the National Insurance contributions and minimum wage rates from April 1st 2026 as the reason for the collapse. It was cruel timing to be in March 2026, as reports indicated a strong trading month and the chain was actively looking at new locations. Then April came, and the economics just didn’t work.
On 1st July 2026, all 31 stores closed. Coughlans Bakery, which has 170 members of staff who were made redundant, allegedly told the workers about their redundancies by text message, which was widely condemned and left people wondering how employers inform the workforce of mass redundancies.
The Takeover: What Janes Bakery Is Promising
Shortly after the closure, the liquidators sold Coughlans Bakery to Janes Bakery Limited. The agreement for a buyback, which went down in a murky price range, involves reopening up to 25 of the now-defunct Janes Bakery spots as Janes.
Former employees obviously love the new boss because he has made it a point to make it clear that store employees are encouraged to reapply when stores reopen. The company has positioned this reopening as a gradual, responsible reopening, focusing on suitable locations and providing a clear path for ex-employees to return to work.
It is not yet known which of the 31 closed sites will reopen and which will be closed for good.
Can Redundant Workers Actually Get Their Jobs Back?
This is the question that is being asked by all of the former employees of Coughlans Bakery right this minute. The truthful answer: maybe, but not guaranteed.
These are some things that workers should know:
- Redundancy payments are still due. The remaining issues of the original liquidation are redundancy obligations within Coughlans Bakery’s obligations. Employees should ensure that they have received or claimed their statutory redundancy payouts from the Insolvency Service if the business was not able to make the payouts themselves.
- Reapplying is required. The new employer, Janes Bakery, is a legal entity of its own. In this case, the business was liquidated; therefore, the former staff were not automatically transferred under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings) rules. Job seekers need to make an effort to apply for new job opportunities.
- Some stores will not be open. There will be some permanent job losses as only up to 25 of 31 sites have returned. Employees who do not have a local branch that is going to be open will have to think about travelling to a different location or finding different bakery career opportunities in their local area.
- Timing is unclear. The reopening is said to be “phased”, and Coughlans Bakery jobs 2026 might not all be available at the same time.
What Should Affected Workers Do Right Now?
Here are practical steps that you will need to take straight after you have been notified that Coughlans Bakery has made you redundant:
- If you have not received your redundancy pay, apply for it via the UK government’s Redundancy Payments Service on GOV.UK.
- Look for any TUPE guidance: This one may not apply here, but you need to get independent advice on your employment rights.
- Apply directly to Janes Bakery: Keep an eye out for jobs posted on the Janes Bakery website as Coughlans Bakery reopens.
- Sign up for help at local employment services: help to search for work and support with Universal Credit will be available while the sites are still assessing when it will be safe to reopen.
- Check out other bakery career options: The bakery industry offers other jobs. January’s transition continues, so use national job boards to look for bakery positions.
Before vs. After: Coughlans Bakery at a Glance
| Before Closure | After Acquisition |
| Brand name | Coughlans Bakery → Janes Bakery |
| Owner | Sean Coughlan (family-owned) → Janes Bakery Limited |
| Active stores | 31 → Up to 25 (planned) |
| Staff employed | ~170+ → TBC — applications open |
| Trading status | Ceased (1 July 2026) → Reopening (phased) |
| Workers’ route back | N/A → Reapplication required |
FAQs on Coughlans Bakery Jobs
Will all 170 redundant Coughlans Bakery workers get their jobs back?
Not necessarily. Some jobs will not be available at the same stores, as up to 25 of the 31 stores reopen. Existing employees are encouraged to re-apply, but will be appointed based on the availability of positions in the re-opened sites and the number of positions available.
Do Coughlans Bakery workers have TUPE rights?
The TUPE regulations generally apply where a business is sold as a whole and is operated as a going concern. It may not be a TUPE transfer as Coughlans entered liquidation prior to the sale. Individual legal advice should be sought regarding the individual circumstances of affected workers.
Do Coughlans Bakery employees have a case for compensation for their redundancy?
Yes. Redundancy pay claims for the original closure continue to be met. If the business that has gone into liquidation can’t pay this, members of staff could make a claim at the government’s Redundancy Payments Service from the National Insurance Fund.
When will Coughlans Bakery jobs be available under Janes Bakery?
The reopening is called “phased”, but there is no timeframe at this point. Employees who have previously worked at Janes Bakery are encouraged to check Janes Bakery’s official announcements for job updates.
Why was Coughlans Bakery closed?
Although the business had been trading well in the months leading up to the collapse, the former owner said the combination of higher fuel prices and April 2026 changes to the National Insurance and minimum wage forced the business to close.
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