Inspired by Nicholas Saunders, who had bought the Victorian warehouse buildings in this small triangular area of Covent Garden, the number of businesses grew and by 1986 there was a dairy, flour mill, apothecary, soup and salad bar, an organic fruit and vegetable shop, alternative therapy rooms and the bakery. Neal’s Yard developed into central London’s foremost ‘alternative lifestyle’ location, a Mecca for the growing number of people who were concerned about nutrition, diet, the environment, health and spiritual well-being.
The bakery was probably the first organic bakery in London and over the years developed a wide range of organic baked goods, which were sold throughout the capital, as well as providing a successful vegetarian café and takeaway. By 2004, however, the building had fallen into disrepair and the landlords decided to redevelop it. John Loffler, the sole remaining co-operative member, who had bought the bakery a few years earlier, then moved the bread production to its new site in Twickenham.
Neal's Yard Bakery 