A popular bakery chain is set to open a new branch right next to a busy London Underground station next week, despite some opposition from local residents.

Gail’s will open its latest bakery on Brixton Road on Friday, October 16, taking over a former Chopstix site which has been vacant since autumn 2025.

The new bakery will sit immediately beside Brixton Underground station, one of Transport for London's major transport connections.

Located at the southern end of the Victoria line, the station sees around 55,500 passenger entries and exits each day.

And with Gail’s opening from 6am, commuters will be able to pick up a coffee, pastry or breakfast before catching their train.

The opening will also bring 15 to 20 new jobs to the area, with positions available across a range of roles.

At the end of November 2025, Gail’s unveiled plans to rapidly expand its stores by opening 40 more outlets after its sales rose by a fifth during the previous year.

Gail’s is known for its cinnamon buns and sourdough loaves, but with the cost of one bun setting you back £4 and loaves that start from £4.90, the chain has been accused by some of being “insanely overpriced” and has become synonymous in London with gentrification.

And the prospect of a Gail’s opening up in Brixton has been met with mixed feelings from local residents.

Independent businesses are already struggling in Brixton, and earlier this year the owner of Brixton News was forced to close his news stand of 36 years after being “priced out” by Transport for London (TfL).

Pritesh Patel, whose news stand was located inside Brixton Tube station and only metres away from the potential site for the new Gail’s, said TfL bosses told him he’d have to pay £85,000 a year if he wanted to remain at the site, which was more than double his previous rate.

A petition was launched to oppose the opening of a Gail’s bakery in the area, gaining over 1,300 signatures.

One person wrote: “Brixton is losing it's soul to gentrification. Instead of the area being improved via regeneration projects we have to put up with these commercial shops that don't even care about Brixton's residents and the black and working class history.

“Let us stand against their divisive plans because if not the Brixton we know will no longer be recognisable or accessible.”

Another added: “It is important for each area to have its unique qualities, and forcing Brixton to further lose its culture for the sake of a slice of cake will never be worth it. Gails is nice but not necessary.”

The new branch will open alongside the launch of a partnership between Gail’s and Magic Breakfast, a charity which works to tackle morning hunger in schools across England and Scotland.

As part of the partnership, Gail’s will make a financial contribution to support the provision of 20,000 nutritious breakfasts for children at risk of hunger across the UK, including pupils attending schools in Lambeth.

The breakfasts will be provided throughout the school year, helping ensure children have access to a nutritious meal before starting their lessons.

Gail’s has been contacted by The Standard for further comment.