Key Points:
- The Hackney Tap, a former pub on Mare Street, East London, closed abruptly in July 2024 without public explanation.
- According to My London’s Rebecca McCulloch, posters and builders now signal Gail’s bakery will take over the space.
- Planning permission to convert the Grade II-listed pub into a food and drink establishment was submitted to Hackney Council months after the closure.
- Refurbishment works are visibly underway; completion is expected by June 2025.
- The new site is part of Gail’s rapid expansion across East London and the UK.
- The Hackney Tap had been a popular local venue before its unexplained shutdown.
A beloved East London pub that mysteriously shut down in mid-2024 is being transformed into a new branch of Gail’s Bakery, marking a significant shift in the Mare Street landscape.
As first reported by My London’s trainee multimedia reporter Rebecca McCulloch, The Hackney Tap has remained dormant since July 2024, when it abruptly emptied out without any public statement on social media. Now, nearly a year later, signs of life have returned—builders have been spotted on site and windows bear posters for Gail’s, the artisan bakery chain rapidly spreading across the capital.
Why did The Hackney Tap shut down?
The sudden closure of The Hackney Tap left local pubgoers puzzled in July last year. According to My London’s Rebecca McCulloch, no formal announcement or reasoning was offered by the establishment on its social platforms. The premises remained silent, fuelling local speculation and concern about the future of the historic building.
What has been approved for the site?
Rebecca McCulloch reports that Hackney Council received planning permission requests to convert the Grade II-listed building into a new food and drink venue several months following the closure. The approval appears to have paved the way for Gail’s to take over.
What does Gail’s Bakery plan for the new branch?
While Gail’s has yet to release a detailed statement about the new Hackney location, McCulloch notes in her report for My London that the bakery is expected to offer its standard menu—freshly baked bread, pastries, cakes, and premium coffee. The refurbishment works, already underway, suggest an imminent opening, potentially by June 2025.
How are locals reacting to the change?
No formal public reaction has been recorded yet, but The Hackney Tap’s closure in 2024 had already stirred confusion among regulars. With Gail’s being a widely appreciated bakery chain across London, its arrival may be met with mixed emotions—nostalgia for the pub, but also excitement for new offerings in the neighbourhood.
What is the significance of the building?
The structure formerly housing The Hackney Tap is Grade II-listed, denoting historical and architectural significance. Repurposing such buildings often requires strict compliance with preservation guidelines, as reflected in the planning permission process highlighted by My London.
What does this mean for Hackney’s food and drink scene?
The transformation of The Hackney Tap into a Gail’s Bakery underscores the ongoing gentrification and evolving consumer landscape in East London. This shift from traditional pub to upscale bakery mirrors broader trends seen in Hackney, where artisanal food spots increasingly replace long-standing watering holes.
When will the new Gail’s open?
Documents cited by My London indicate that construction work is anticipated to wrap up by June 2025. While no official opening date has been confirmed, the visible presence of builders and branding signals that the launch is near.
