Kentish Express Ashford & District
Outlet centre too posh for pasties?
Shoppers have hit out at a shopping centre for shutting a shop “they don’t think is posh enough”.
The Cornish Bakery in the Ashford Designer Outlet closed its doors for the final time last Sunday, to the dismay of many customers.
Andrew Mugliston, Cornish Bakery head of operations, said: “We haven’t been told by McArthurGlen the reason for closing.
“The lease was up and not renewed by them, and apparently another national cafe chain is taking the unit.
“All I can say is that it was one of our most successful units, and we are immensely proud of our Tripadvisor certificate of excellence, so the decision to leave was most definitely not ours.”
Pat Whiting, a regular customer at the eatery, said she won’t visit the Outlet again now the bakery has closed.
She said: “We went in there yesterday and the staff told us what was happening. They were deeply distressed by it, it’s a ghastly situation for them.
“They are being kicked out because they do not fit what the Outlet want.
“It is very popular but I think the Outlet is getting rid of them because they are not posh enough.
“They want more high end stuff and apparently it’s going to be a more high class bakery.
“But we would not have any reason to go there if they close it down and so we certainly wouldn’t bother returning to the Outlet.”
Mr Mugliston said staff have been offered a support package with an offer of relocation to one of the other Cornish Bakeries.
They have also been offered a generous redundancy pack- Meal for Miners The Cornish pasty was adopted by miners and farm workers in Cornwall in the 17th and 18th centuries.
They were used as a means for providing themselves with easy, tasty and sustaining meals while they worked.
And so the humble Cornish pasty was born. age and support finding new employment, he added.
He said: “We are constantly on the lookout and opening new sites – at least four will open in the first half of 2017 – so hopefully we’ll be back in Kent very soon.”
The Ashford Designer Outlet has been contacted for a comment but failed to respond as the Kentish Express went to press yesterday (Wednesday).
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk “Pasties are posh. There’s a brilliant pasty bakery in Canterbury high street. Now I’m sure if a place with 1000s of years of heritage and history behind it can accommodate a humble bakery then a crappy chav tent like the outlet shouldn’t need delusions of grandeur. I’m surprised they didn’t add a Burberry design to the fabric roof.”
‘They want more high end stuff and apparently it’s going to be a more high class bakery’
“Why kick them out its always busy in there sm ell lovely when you go by.”
“They do great pastries as well as pasties, and their coffee is also very good. Steak & Stilton pasty is quite posh anyway! I’ll miss them.” “Nooooo. Love this shop. Better coffee than Nero.” “Selling sushi next then?!”