‘You helped keep me alive’ cry fans as legendary bagel shop ‘that was always open’ abruptly closes after nearly 40 years
A LEGENDARY bagel shop has abruptly closed after just under 40 years and fans are devastated.
The Beigel Shop in London‘s Brick Lane has shut its doors suddenly this week, leading many to speculate if it will reopen.
The iconic store, famed for its salt beef bagels with gherkins and mustard and 24/7 opening hours, has garnered a cult following on TikTok over the past year.
Foodies travel far and wide to try its offering and compare it to local competitors.
It claims to be one of the oldest in London, after opening as a family-run business in 1855 and before moving to its current location in 1987.
Earlier this week, what appeared to be an eviction notice from a law firm was slapped on the front of the door, leading many to fear the worst.
The notice read: “Please note we have taken possession of the above mentioned property.
“An attempt of re-entry of the said property is an offence and proceedings will be taken for trespass and criminal damage.”
But, in a twist, the store’s official Instagram account then shared a post stating that the store had closed for maintenance and would be reopening.
It said: “Dear Beigel family, we will be closed for a short period to conduct essential electrical maintenance.
“Stay connected with us on social media for updates and news about reopening.
“Thank you for your support. We’ll be back before you know it, ready to bake and serve our Beigel family with love.”
The Sun has contacted both the law firm which appeared to post the repossession notice and the Beigel Shop directly – we will update this story when we hear back.
Diners have reacted to the closure news on social media over the past few days.
One said: “Is the sign under it not true? I really hope so. We’ve often driven up from the Home Counties just to visit you!”
A second wrote: “Don’t go we love you!”
A third posted: “Between 5 and 7 you guys helped keep me alive whilst I played COD [Call of Duty] in the all-night MOMO internet cafe opposite. Thank you. Don’t close.”
A fourth joked: “Looks like they’re in a bit of a hole.”
While a fifth said: “Sad news. Queuing here in the early hours was an important part of my student life.”
And a sixth wrote: “A real shame, many memories of nights out after work (office was just down the road) grabbing food from there in the early hours…”
“Oh this is terrible news! The Beigel Shop IS the East End,” another disappointed foodie posted.
What else is happening on the high street?
The hospitality sector has been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic while households are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and increased prices are also taking a toll and many high street restaurants and cafes have struggled to keep going.
We’ve seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on their way.
Pubs like Wetherspoons and restaurants like Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito shut their doors.
Costa Coffee on Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield Place ground its final bean this week as the store officially shut on Valentine’s Day.
Krispy Kreme has pulled the shutters down its branch on Coney Street in York.
Several major retail brands have also collapsed in the past couple of years, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Most recently, The Body Shop confirmed it has gone into administration putting 200 stores at risk of closure.
Many retailers have been struggling to get by, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
More shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and have no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
British retailers saw the amount of goods they sold drop last month at its fastest rate in three years as under-pressure families shifted part of their Christmas shop to earlier in the year.
Sales volumes dipped by 3.2% in December, data from the Office for National Statistics suggests, down from a rise of 1.4% a month before.
Several big-name chains are pulling down the shutters for the final time this month.
An iconic department store has also shut its flagship London store forever.
It was announced last year that Fenwick would be closing its central London store in Bond Street for good, and on February 3, it pulled down the shutters for the last time.
A Tesco Express in the Whitefriars Shopping Centre will be temporarily closed until March 4.
Cosmetics giant L’Occitane En Provence is shutting the doors of the store in Hereford in March.
Lidl will be pulling the shutters down on its site in Thornaby later this month.
The bargain retailer has confirmed the sites in Stockton-on-Tees will shut on February 29.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
High street fashion chain Peacocks pulled down the shutters of its branch in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, last month.
Entertainment retailer HMV also shuttered its branch in Boston, Lincolnshire, on January 27.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoons is set to pull the shutters down on its “best” pub in weeks – but it’s not all bad news.
Plus, shoppers have been rushing to stock up on their favourites after a high street chain fell into administration.
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