'You don’t have to agree with something to respect someone’s choices'
08:57, 15 Jan 2026Updated 08:58, 15 Jan 2026
The owners of a popular bakery have hit back after receiving a number of aggressive messages from customers threatening to boycott them over their products.
Twin sisters Rachel and Lauren Finch have gained a cult following for their ‘Instagram worthy’ bakes and treats since opening their Finch Bakery in Great Harwood, Lancashire nearly ten years ago. Having since opened additional locations in Blackburn and Birmingham, the two now also run a pop-up bakery within the Selfridges store at the Trafford Centre.
Famed for their jaw-dropping sweet creations, which include cookie pies, cakes, stuffed brownies, cake jars and tray bakes, with some of their favourites including a Battenberg Cookie Block, Biscoff Brownie, Caramel Cornflake Brownie Roll, and a Chocolate Fudge and Marshmallow Fluff.
In one post on Instagram on Wednesday (January 14), the bakery shared a screenshot of a direct message they had received from one follower. "Halal friendly", the follower commented, preceded by a series of laughing and yawning emojis. "**** right off, unfollow rapidly."
The bakery then responded to the 'ill educated' comment, by explaining that making halal baked goods simply meant their products were free from alcohol, gelatine, and e-numbers. In their reply, they said it meant 'we are inclusive for everyone’. They added: “If you'd rather order something with added insects, pigs connective tissues or alcohol please let me know and I can arrange for you x.”
Explaining further in the post, the bakery said: “Just incase anyone was wondering why we’re halal friendly: we have Muslim friends. We want to be inclusive. Everyone deserves to be able to shop where they want based on dietary requirements, whether that’s for religious or cultural reasons, allergy or intolerance purposes, sensory reasons, digestive disorders. And we will continue to try and provide a selection for all of these people as long as it’s safe for us to do so (like our lack of GF kitchen means we cannot provide gluten free items).
“It also makes business sense to try to cater to as many people as possible. If you’re going to slide into an inclusive business’ DMs and then immediately block them, don’t think I won’t come for you. Yes I’m 34. Yes I’m a mum of 2. Yes I’m a grown up (apparently). But ill educated, bigoted conversations like this (yes it continued) just make me roll my eyes. You don’t have to agree with something to respect someone’s choices. Especially when we’re not adding any meat products into our brownies. We will and always will be inclusive for a wider group of people and we are proud to be halal friendly. If you don’t like it. Please unfollow.”
In a later post, the bakery said they had been unfollowed by more than 250 accounts on Instagram after their initial response. Many followers said they were inclined to buy more from them and support them in response to their posts.
One person said: “You’ve just found a whole new community! Don’t worry sis.” Another commented: “It’s brilliant you’ve thought about how to cater for the diverse society we live in and more businesses should do the same. You’re an amazing business! (And the BEST cakes!)”
Another said: “Imagine thinking halal cakes have the same treatment as halal meat.” One other commented: “I wonder if she’d stop eating fresh fruit and veg if she found out they’re naturally halal.” "Imagine unfollowing someone for being inclusive," one person said. Another commented: "Absolutely on point girl @finchbakery you’re doing an amazing job to cater for all as not many bakerys [sp] do that. Well done and love the response.”