Simon Reynolds, owner of the nearly century-old A.E. Barrow & Sons bakery in Sittingbourne, Kent, has had his application to build four-storey flats rejected by Swale Borough Council due to worries about living conditions near the bakery and impacts on the town’s historic character. Reynolds is now considering revised plans to secure the business's future amid evolving challenges for traditional retailers.
Simon Reynolds, the dedicated third-generation owner of A.E. Barrow & Sons Ltd in Sittingbourne, Kent, has found himself at an impasse following council refusal of his plans to construct a four-storey block of flats adjacent to his bakery. Established in 1931, this beloved local business has served the community for nearly a century, yet the proposed development was met with significant obstacles due to potential concerns regarding living conditions for future tenants.
The Swale Borough Council turned down Reynolds’s application last June, citing worries that new residents would be negatively impacted by the "odours and disturbance" emanating from the bakery's operations, which include the production of cakes, breads, pastries, and sandwiches. The council also raised alarms about the living conditions within the ground-floor flats, claiming they would experience "poor levels of light, outlook, and a sense of enclosure." Additionally, it argued that the proposed construction would not respect the historic townscape, as the portion earmarked for demolition possessed "heritage significance."
Despite Reynolds’s expressed disappointment, he also acknowledged the rationale behind the council's decision. “I do get it to a certain degree, but it is still disappointing as it would have future-proofed the business,” he remarked. He invested about £5,000 into pursuing the project and had believed that the new flats could reinvigorate his bakery's operations amid ongoing challenges facing high street retailers. His intent was to ensure the longevity of A.E. Barrow & Sons, as many similar establishments continue to struggle with declining foot traffic and competition from larger retailers.
In response to the council's decision, Reynolds is contemplating a revised plan that could potentially address the concerns raised. He hopes that a new application will be favourably received, allowing him to explore additional options for development. “I have ideas for a different plan but it is about which one to choose,” he stated, highlighting the importance of family input in deciding the bakery's future direction.
Historical context plays an essential role in the rejection of Reynolds's plans. According to the Swale Borough Local Plan 2017, developments must consider the impact on heritage assets and conservation areas, a mandate that reinforces the importance of local history and architectural integrity. This guideline reflects a broader prioritisation within planning policy of preserving the character of towns whilst balancing the need for new housing.
In the meantime, A.E. Barrow & Sons remains operational, continuing its legacy of serving high-quality, handmade bakery products to its loyal customer base. As the business adapts to modern consumer preferences, including the introduction of gluten-free options, Reynolds remains committed to maintaining his bakery's reputation within the community while also navigating the complexities of local regulations and urban planning.
Though the path forward is uncertain, Reynolds's determination to innovate and secure the future of A.E. Barrow & Sons aligns with a growing trend among traditional businesses seeking new revenue streams and operational pathways in an evolving market landscape.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is June 27, 2024, in KentOnline. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/they-say-i-can-t-build-flats-behind-my-bakery-because-of-th-308910/?utm_source=openai)) The Express article was published on May 26, 2025, indicating a freshness of approximately 11 months. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The content has been republished across multiple sites, including KentOnline, which may indicate a lack of originality. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The content has been republished across multiple sites, including KentOnline, which may indicate a lack of originality. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/they-say-i-can-t-build-flats-behind-my-bakery-because-of-th-308910/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Simon Reynolds appear in earlier material, such as the KentOnline article from June 27, 2024. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/they-say-i-can-t-build-flats-behind-my-bakery-because-of-th-308910/?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes is consistent across sources, suggesting potential reuse. No online matches were found for the specific phrasing of the quotes, indicating they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Express, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the content has been republished across multiple sites, including KentOnline, which may indicate a lack of originality. The KentOnline article from June 27, 2024, provides additional context and details not present in the Express article. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/they-say-i-can-t-build-flats-behind-my-bakery-because-of-th-308910/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative's claims align with information from the KentOnline article from June 27, 2024, which reports on the council's refusal of the bakery's development plans. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/they-say-i-can-t-build-flats-behind-my-bakery-because-of-th-308910/?utm_source=openai)) The details about the bakery's history and the owner's intentions are consistent with known facts. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as exact dates and figures, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release and includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The quotes attributed to Simon Reynolds appear in earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. The source is a reputable UK newspaper, but the content has been republished across multiple sites, indicating a lack of originality. The claims are plausible and align with known facts, but the lack of specific factual anchors reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with a medium confidence level.
