Tonbridge Bean

After ten remarkable years serving the community with its legendary sourdough, unforgettable pastries and expertly brewed coffee, The Bakehouse at 124 has announced it will be closing its doors for good.

In a heartfelt message shared online, the team behind the beloved bakery said:
“We’d like to thank every single one of you for the love and support over the years. We have some amazing memories that will last a lifetime and we will miss you greatly.”

Judging by the outpouring of emotion on social media, the feeling is very much mutual.

From lockdown lifesaver to #sourdoughsanity to “the best almond croissants I’ve ever tasted”, The Bakehouse became a local institution in its ten years on Tonbridge High Street. Many residents fondly recall the joy of walking from Haysden Park for a treat, a Friday morning croissant ritual, or simply knowing they could buy world-class bread just around the corner.

One commenter summed it up simply: “Tonbridge will miss you.” Another asked, “Where will we get decent bread now?”

But as the tributes roll in, this closure also serves as a quiet warning. We all say we want an artisan high street, full of independent gems—but unless we support them, week in and week out, we risk losing them. Let’s not forget that more businesses have closed in Tonbridge and Malling than have opened in the last year. As much as we value these places in spirit, it’s our spending that helps them survive.

So here’s a toast (sourdough, obviously) to Clare and the team at The Bakehouse. You made your mark on Tonbridge, and we’ll remember every cruffin, cheese straw and cup of coffee.

Whilst we don’t know the reason behind the closure, let’s make sure we don’t just miss what we had—but use this moment to reflect on how we can better support the independents still standing.

At Tonbridge Bean our motto when it comes to local business is – Use it, or lose it.

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