A renowned bakery in London's Notting Hill, owned by veteran restaurateur Sally Clarke, has been listed for sale on an insolvency marketplace following significant financial losses. The business, which employs dozens and generates close to £6 million in annual revenue, now faces a tight one-week deadline for potential buyers to submit offers.
Financial Strain and a Search for Buyers
The Notting Hill Bakery operates a popular retail cafe on Portobello Road alongside a nearby wholesale unit. However, recent company accounts reveal a troubling financial picture. In 2024, the firm recorded a loss of nearly £100,000 and had accumulated liabilities exceeding £1 million. The accounts stated that the immediate parent company is unwilling to provide further financial support, forcing directors to seek cost-cutting measures, improved performance, and additional financing options.
The sale process is being managed with urgency. Interested parties have just one week to make offers for either the entire business or its constituent parts. The bakery, known for its artisan breads, cakes, and cookies, did not respond to requests for comment on the situation.
A Wider Hospitality Empire Under Pressure
Sally Clarke is a stalwart of West London's culinary scene, best known for her flagship Kensington restaurant, which she has run for over four decades. The bakery and restaurant form part of a substantial London empire encompassing hospitality, art, and property, which she controls with her husband, art dealer Sir John Morton Morris.
Their holdings include several cafes, an Italian restaurant in Notting Hill, and valuable freehold property in affluent areas such as Kensington, Chelsea, St James's, and Notting Hill. Despite this impressive portfolio, the couple's main holding company is also carrying substantial debt. Corporate filings show accumulated loans of nearly £20 million, with over £3 million due for repayment within a year. Sir John Morton Morris was knighted in December 2025 for his services to the Royal Collection.
What Comes Next for the Notting Hill Bakery?
The forced sale of the bakery highlights the ongoing pressures within the UK's hospitality and retail sectors, even for established, well-regarded brands. The one-week deadline for offers indicates a pressing need for a resolution, potentially leading to a restructuring or change of ownership for the beloved local business.
Its future now hinges on finding a buyer willing to take on the challenge of revitalising the operation. The outcome will be closely watched by the local community and industry observers as a barometer for the viability of independent artisan food businesses in the current economic climate.
