London leads UK’s coffee and bakery boom

In the UK, there are an average of 1.75 outlets for every 10,000 people.

The UK's coffee and bakery segment continues to rise with roughly 1.75 outlets for every 10,000 people, following a nationwide average growth of nearly 13% in the last three years.

London leads the charge with a significantly higher than average 2.4 chain stores per 10,000 residents, making the capital one of the most café-saturated markets in Europe, though trailing Dublin and Paris, both with around 3.5 outlets. The North West (1.88), Yorkshire (1.87) and Scotland (1.86) follow as regional strongholds of café culture.

According to Meaningful Vision data, bakeries and coffee shops have become two of the top three fastest-growing fast-food categories in Britain, just behind chicken chains. Between January and September 2025, bakery outlets expanded by 2.6%, whilst coffee shops grew by 2.4% compared with a year earlier. In real terms, that means more than 334 new bakeries and around 300 new coffee shops opened nationwide in just twelve months. 

The North West has emerged as the country’s most dynamic region, accounting for 17% of all new openings, followed closely by the East and East Midlands (13% each). Scotland contributed a strong 11%, whilst the West Midlands and Northern Ireland each added 7%. 

Amongst leading operators, Greggs remains the driving force in bakery expansion, with a winning combination of brand familiarity and local accessibility. In the coffee sector, Black Sheep Coffee and Caffè Nero are amongst the most active players.

This broad-based expansion suggests the UK market still has untapped potential. From bustling high streets to commuter hubs and smaller towns, cafés and bakeries are embedding themselves as community fixtures, offering a mix of affordable comfort, routine indulgence, and social space. The trend also reflects a diversification of formats, from compact takeaways to hybrid café-workspaces catering to new ways of working and socialising.

“New openings continue to drive traffic growth for fast-food chains, and some segments still have significant room to grow,” said Maria Vanifatova, CEO of Meaningful Vision.