‘As if life wasn’t stressful enough’ say shoppers as major bakery chain abruptly closes a store

A MAJOR bakery giant with 2,000 branches has abruptly closed a store, leaving shoppers confused. 

Greggs has closed a store for good in Reading this weekend. 

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The branch on Whitley Street shut its doors for the last time yesterday, Saturday, February 10 at 3pm. 

Customers will now need to travel to the chain’s nearest branches on Christchurch Road and Rose Kiln Lane, just under half a mile away.  

Staff at the store told local media that the store was closing due to a steep rent increase.

The Sun has reached out to Greggs for comment. 

Locals took to Facebook to share their frustration with many left confused. 

One user said: “Gutted. No idea what I’m going to feed my little angels now.”

“Stupid decision,” declared someone else. 

“As if my life wasn’t stressful enough,” said another user. 

A fourth user said: “No more sausage rolls.”

Last August Greggs revealed it had shut 44 shops in the first half of the year, but had opened 94 branches over the same time frame including three outlet stores.

While the high street has generally struggled since the pandemic with huge numbers of store closures, Greggs has continued to expand rapidly.

Greggs opened several new stores last year including a drive-through and an outlet shop.

Greggs opened a record 186 new stores in 2022 and it now operates at more than 2,300 locations.

What is happening to the hospitality industry?

Several restaurant chains and retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.

Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some brands grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Papa John’s has confirmed eight UK branches closed last month until new ownership could be found.

Taco Bell which hasn’t been on the scene long pulled down the shutters on a drive-thru restaurant in Aberdeen.

Hostmore, the owner of restaurant chain TGI Fridays and 63rd+1st has said that it will no longer open any new restaurants until at least 2025, after confirming a drop in earnings.

Costa Coffee confirmed it shut two cafes last month.

Italian dining chain Prezzo revealed plans to shut 46 restaurants in April 2023 due to soaring energy and food costs, putting 810 jobs at risk.

Even Wetherspoon has struggled to brace the storm with 40 pubs closing down last and as many as 20 preparing to shut this year.

In other news, Greggs fans going wild for ‘gorgeous’ sweet treats back on the menu after a year missing.

The Newcastle-based chain has brought back two cinnamon drinks last seen in March 2023.

Fans can snap up the returning 124-calorie cinnamon flat white from £2.50 nationwide.

That’s not all, as Greggs is also trialling new and improved recipes on selected chicken burgers and wraps which launched in early 2023.

But foodies will only be able to pick them up at 10 branches in the northeast.

The 10 shops that are trialling the new and improved chicken burgers and wraps are:

1. Gateshead
2. Longbenton
3. Washington
4. Newcastle
5. Sunderland
6. Washington
7. Bowburn
8. Horden
9. Blaydon
10. Greggs at Primark Northumberland Street

What is in the new and improved Greggs chicken burgers?

Greggs has new chicken burgers availble in select branches

The sizzling hot mayo crispy chicken burger, combines chicken breast in a crispy coating, with iceberg lettuce and creamy mayonnaise.

Foodies can snap up the 569-calorie burger from £3.90.

Meanwhile, the mayo chicken wrap is making a return, combining southern fried chicken goujons, mixed leaf salad, cucumber and a dollop of creamy mayonnaise, coming in at 538 calories and from £3.70.

Also joining the trial is the new and improved spicy crispy chicken burger, made from juicy chicken breast in a crispy coating, with iceberg lettuce, chipotle mayo and jalapeño peppers.

The 569-calorie burger will set you back £3.90.

All three of the new hot menu items can be combined with southern fried potato wedges or a side salad and any cold drink from £4.95.

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