Brick Lane’s historic Beigel Shop in the East End of London, with its famous bright yellow sign, is to reopen this week after more than four months out of action.

Melanie White and Louise Zelman — whose respective parents Mazal White and Aron Zelman, along with their uncle David Barel, had operated the business since 1987 — said the recent closure had been due to “a culmination of a long-standing family dispute over the building’s ownership and subsequent rents”.

It was not the first time the bakery had been closed after a similar dispute. Ten years ago, London's Evening Standard reported that a row between family members had resulted in temporary closure.

With the latest dispute resolved, Mrs White said that she, Ms Zelman and their respective siblings would be taking the Beigel Shop forward under the guidance of their parents, who were assuming a less hands-on role after Aron had suffered  serious health issues.

“This was the first Jewish beigel shop in London and maybe the oldest in the world,” she said. “There is a legacy and a history we're determined to continue. It has been a challenging and sad six months, but we’re opening and very excited.”

As the business has been shuttered since the start of the year, it will require work to reopen. “It’s going to have a big clean — from top to toe — and then once we’re back up and running, we’d like to do some cosmetic work to get it where we want it to be,” Mrs White said. They will also aim to rebuild their wholesale business, which vanished during their closure.

The family has this week launched a crowdfunding campaign: “We’re hoping to raise £50,000 to support us in getting back up and running,” she said. “The bakery is in need of new machinery as well as refurbishment — essentially, we’ll be starting again.

“As an incentive, we’re offering a free tote bag to the first 50 people who donate more than £5 and also come into the shop to buy a beigel.”

“We hope the Jewish community will assist us. We’ve put blood, sweat and tears into this but it will mean nothing if we cannot get support.”

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