'What has happened to our country?' Britain's most successful baker who was BANNED from Borough Market says he's tired of 'doom and gloom' under Labour and it's easier to run a business abroad

The owner of a family bakery that faced a ban from Borough Market for 'being too successful' has criticised the way businesses are being penalised in Labour's Britain. Bread Ahead founder Matthew Jones claimed his bakery had been told to leave the food market because his firm was expanding so rapidly. But market bosses and Mr Jones have now agreed to extend the bakery's lease up until 2028. Mr Jones lamented the process to keep his stall where it is and the pressures put on him running a business in Labour's 'doom and gloom' Britain – despite the bakery's popularity.

He said he had found it easier to open and run his bakery abroad, with new ventures in New York and Malaysia . British businesses have been hit by successive tax hikes by the Labour government. Former chancellor Rachel Reeves increased the employer National Insurance contribution rate from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent and reduced the secondary threshold to £5,000. The punitive policies sparked fury among hospitality firms because it dragged many part-time and lower-paid staff into tax for the first time.

Bread Ahead founder Matthew Jones (pictured) has insisted he would still leave Borough Market because he no longer feels welcome there Mr Jones said: 'What's happened to our country? Why are we doing this? Why are we penalising businesses? 'Why can't we just have a break and just leave people alone? Just let them run their businesses, employ their staff, pay their taxes, do what they need to do. Because that's what we're doing.' The bakery has served doughnuts, sourdough, pastries and coffee to its customers in Borough Market since 2013.

Last month, after entering a renewal process for its lease, the bakery was told that it had been 'too successful' and was told to leave, according to Mr Jones. He alleged that Borough Market told him opening new chains abroad went against its policy. Representatives of the market also told him that they do not have the space to house such a popular stall – because it attracts so many customers. Bread Ahead is preparing to open a bakery in New York in November, which will be its first location in the US.

The company also has a number of sites across Asia and the Middle East – including in Bangkok, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. He told the Daily Mail: 'The whole process was infuriating. It is really frustrating and we just want to get on with running the business. 'We still get the sense that we are not really going to be welcome [at Borough Market] in the long run. 'We've got an 18-month extension now, but even so, why 18 months? At the end of the day we probably will leave in 18 months.

We're not entirely sure yet but the reality is in that time there will probably be new management in place who will have a different set of ideas.' The market clarified to the Mail that the lease was always set to end in March 2028, but that no agreement had been reached beyond this. The bakery has become an online sensation thanks to visitors' glowing reviews of their products Mr Jones said: 'It's so much easier opening up and running a business abroad.

The speed of things, there's just no blockages in the way and everyone wants you to do it. It's just not like that in Britain anymore.' Mr Jones founded Bread Ahead in 2013 after leaving school at 15 and going on to work as a chef. He said the business environment when he was growing up was much more conducive to budding entrepreneurs. 'We had a wonderful run here but now it just feels like banging my head against a brick wall,' he added.

The company has become an online sensation thanks to visitors' glowing reviews of its baked goods. But the bakery owner told the Mail that it could cost up to £1,000,000 to move the shop out of Borough Market and into another London location. He previously said that it could put the jobs of its 83 employees at risk. He told the Mail today: 'We're not a big business. We're not Greggs. We're not Gail's. You know, we're not SpaceX. We're a family business and we started with nothing. 'Ultimately we'll just have to find another location locally and move into it because we want to be there for our customers.

We don't want to disappoint people, and it's great trade. We've built up a local reputation. 'It is such a bizarre scenario.' Bread Ahead is set to open a bakery in New York in November, which will be its first location in the US Shane Holland, Chair of the Borough Market Trust, said: 'Our position on Bread Ahead’s lease expiry is unchanged, and it is important to clarify that the extension agreed does not secure a long-term future for the business at the Market. 'This extension was first discussed in July and has remained on the table throughout our recent negotiations.

We're pleased that Bread Ahead has now accepted, providing additional time to plan for the end of its current tenancy. No agreement has been reached for the period beyond March 2028. 'As with all traders approaching the end of their lease, we will continue to work constructively with Bread Ahead throughout the remainder of its lease.' Hospitality owners have been beset with challenges in recent years with rising bills as well as the impact of Labour's previous policies, including tax hikes and sharp increases in the minimum wage.

And the situation could get worse with the Budget on October 28 amid speculation Chancellor John Healey could hike taxes even more. The higher costs are holding back hiring of young people, with 20pc fewer 16 to 20-year-olds now employed by the business than in 2023. Allen Simpson, the chief executive of UK Hospitality, said the change to NICs was ‘the single biggest contribution to job losses we have seen in hospitality over the last two years’.