// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
Bakery buys comedian's former sites after closure
Bakery business Janes Pantry plans to reopen 20 former Coughlan's Bakery shops, previously part-owned by Romesh Ranganathan
An 89-year-old bakery chain which was part-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan before going into voluntary liquidation has been bought out, with some sites set to reopen under a new name.
Coughlans Bakery, which had shops in Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and south London, announced it had ceased trading in June, blaming high business rates and increases in employers' national insurance contributions.
Bakery business Janes Pantry, based in Gloucestershire, said it had acquired Coughlans' shops out of liquidation, and will open 20 shops under its own brand.
Former staff from Coughlans will be invited to reapply for roles at the reopened sites, it added.
The bakery said: "Every shop that reopens means jobs restored, a unit back in use and footfall returning to the high street, which we believe serves everyone's interests: ours, theirs and the wider local economy's."
Other sites within the Coughlan's estate are subject to further discussions, it added.
Crawley-born Ranganathan, who is vegan, initially became a supporter of the business because of its range of plant-based products, but will not be involved in the new venture.
He previously said he was "gutted" the chain had closed.
Former managing director Sean Coughlan had said increased national insurance contributions for employers and high business rates "absolutely smashes local business".