Brighton: Barry's Boulangerie opens at railway station

Barry’s Boulangerie has been back outside Brighton Station for just over a week.

Owner Al Focquaert, 49, has reopened the business under the name Barry’s Boulangerie in memory of his former boss Barry Jackson-Whitehead, who died in May 2013.

The business, formerly named La Boulangerie at Brighton Station, closed last year after a storm damaged part of the roof above the market stall where it operated.

Inside the shop Barry's Boulangerie (Image: The Argus)

It is now back in action and is offering people a 50 per cent discount for the whole of April.

Al told The Argus: “We had a storm in Brighton and the panels above our store collapsed. It took a while to repair because it’s a protected building.

“We haven’t been open for just over a year but we finally reopened a week and a half ago. I thought I’d invest in getting my own bread shop unit. It would get really cold in the winter sometimes.

“I am really happy to have invested in this unit. We’re doing a special offer just for April, 50 per cent off all day.

MOST READ:

• Seafront restaurant run by Masterchef winner announces closure​
• 'It looks like a shanty town' - fears houseboats at Marina will put off tourists
• De Zerbi gives update after two of his midfield stars limp out of Albion win

“Our food is baked freshly every day from the Real Patisserie in Southwick.”

Al said La Boulangerie was the first business outside the station when Barry set it up in around 2011.

He said: “He started the idea by badgering the station to let him set up a stall at the station. They were reluctant at first and said it was a station, not a market. He was a character though and they eventually let him try it.

“It was instantly successful, the commuters could pick up these really nice artisan pastries. Because we’re open in the evening, commuters would pick up their bread on the way home.

Al Focquaert, left, owner, and Dan Farrell, staff members, outside shop Barry's Boulangerie (Image: The Argus)

“Shortly after that, other businesses followed. We were the first business here around 17 years ago. Because of the popularity, the station allowed more businesses.

“I worked for Barry for a year and a half. He suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. His sister took over for a while but ended up selling it.”

The business was sold to the Real Patisserie, which still supplies all of the pastries, and eventually Al got the opportunity to buy it for himself.

La Boulangerie at Brighton Station in 2013. Barry, centre, and Al, far right (Image: La Boulangerie in The Station)

He added: “We struggled when there were train strikes and then the pandemic hit. We shut for quite a while.

“Eventually I got the opportunity to buy the business myself. I did that about a year before the pandemic started. I renamed it Barry’s Boulangerie in memory of him.”

Once the current promotion ends, the business is offering products from the previous day at reduced prices.