'Real excitement' as GAIL's finally opens in Prestwich following controversial start

Yahoo

07-02-2025

It's 10am and by first assumptions, the arrival of GAIL's in Prestwich this morning (Friday, February 7) has gone without much fanfare. There's no queues outside, there's little noise on the streets and people are easy to idly pass by without even a second glance. But inside, it's a very different story.
Each table is packed out and as soon as one is cleared, another is immediately snapped up by families, co-workers and even Prestwich's mayor as they all enjoy a freshly brewed coffee and a pastry.
Taking over the former NatWest bank on Bury New Road, the arrival of the artisan chain - its first north Manchester bakery - has not been without its controversy. Independent businesses owners feared it would impact on local trade, and then there was the whole awkward blunder of forgetting the T in Prestwich.
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But it's a new day, it's a new year and, however you look at it, Prestwich now has a GAIL's. But there's certainly an electric atmosphere within the café with croissants - savoury or sweet - as well as cakes, sandwiches, salads and iced coffees all being scooped up just as quickly as the tables.
'I didn't imagine it'd be this busy,' one worker tells a woman in line. 'We're almost running out of food,' she jokes before a chef arrives with a huge tray full of freshly-baked almond croissants ready to restock the counter.
The new site has been given a light and breezy aesthetic, expanding out its former bank layout but retaining its original 4.5m high ceilings. Taking inspiration from the 'diverse economic and architectural elements which characterise the surrounding areas', there are many nods to the town's weaving manufacturing history.
Using a 'simple' palette, the space also features steel cladding, scaffolding poles and task lights to further pay into the industrial roots of Prestwich and its significance in the Victorian era.
'I think it looks brilliant,' local resident Rebecca Hughes tells the M.E.N as she waits in line to order a mid-morning treat for herself and her mum. 'I really love what they've done with the place, they've really opened it out.'
She adds: 'It just fell into convenience that we're here on the first day, but we are both very excited to have a GAIL's here in Prestwich. There is a lot of hope around here that it will bring more people to the area which will also help the other amazing businesses here. I think it's great for Prestwich.'
On the menu side of things, there is much to recognise and enjoy if you have ever been to GAIL's before. The morning rotation includes cinnamon buns, cheese straws, sausage rolls and ham and cheese croissants, whilst lunchtime service includes focaccia sandwiches, parmesan chicken buns, beetroot, lentil and goat's cheese salad pots, and a very delightful and comforting chicken, tarragon and ham pie slice.
There's also flourless chocolate cakes, cookies, the very decadent sea salt caramel, banana and pecan cake, and Soho buns - a type of small cream-filled delight laced with dark chocolate. There's, of course, plenty of coffee as well as matcha, tea, and juices to drink up too.
In addition to its in-store options, which can be ordered to dine-in or take-out, there's also a mini shop featuring loaf cakes, cheese biscuits, crackers, jams, honey and coffee all packaged up and ready to be bought to take home too.
The chain, which first started life in London in the early 1990s, is now part of more than 140 different neighbourhoods across the UK, including sites in the city centre, Altrincham, Didsbury and Wilmslow.
The proof will be in the pudding as to how GAIL's manages to fit into the diverse and lively neighbourhood of Prestwich, but its first open morning is already a strong indication that residents are prepared to welcome it in.
GAIL's is on 463 Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 1AB.