Neal’s Yard developed into central London’s foremost ‘alternative lifestyle’ location..

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.