Gail’s Bakery has set out plans to open a new store in the former Barclays bank in the centre of Ely. The shop will be the first branch of the bakery chain to open in the city, and will be the only Gail’s Bakery in Cambridgeshire not based in Cambridge. The company opened its first bakery in London back in 2005, but has expanded opening shops across the country over the last 20 years.
Gail’s Bakery has submitted plans to East Cambridgeshire District Council for the proposed Ely bakery. The former bank at 28 High Street is proposed to be redesigned, with permission being asked for to install new signs and retractable awnings. The plans said: “The proposed shopfront alterations will be of high-quality finish and will result in the maintenance of shopfront proportions similar to those already incorporated.
“The alterations to the shopfront door and the fanlight will improve the overall appearance of the premises, ensuring it remains in keeping with the surrounding streetscape. As Gail’s seek to change the use of the commercial floorspace from bank to bakery, they have a need to increase the openness of the shopfront to showcase products, increase openness and generate footfall.
“These proposals, seeking the replacement of timber panels on the existing door and their replacement with glazing, will assist in achieving this. The proposals seek retention of the existing shopfront door, which ensures the change to overall appearance of the site will be minimal, and ensure the door maintains the historic rhythm of the shopfront.”
However, the conservation officer at the district council has raised some concerns about the planned changes. They said the solid panelled double leaf door was a “characterful feature” and said it “would be better to retain this as it stands”, rather than replacing some sections with glazing panels. The officer suggested that if an entrance was needed where people could see inside, that the internal vestibule could be kept and the doors left open during the opening hours of the bakery.