Greggs, the seemingly unstoppable sandwich and pastry chain, is taking over a somewhat surprising central London location: 1 Leicester Square. Walk past the hoarding and you will see a truly enormous picture of a steak bake looming over you, teasing the new giant opening.
While the opening date has yet to be confirmed, it will be some time this summer. Having launched central sites on The Strand, Canary Wharf, Paddington and King’s Cross, it's clear Greggs isn't planning on slowing down any time soon.
A spokesperson for the baked goods juggernaut said, “The opening of our new flagship shop in Leicester Square will be a huge moment as we continue to expand our presence across prime locations in Central London.
We’re excited to premiere our delicious food to new customers, including many tourists from outside of the UK who will get the opportunity to experience Greggs for the first time.”
This London flagship shop will cost £2 million and boast 1,500 square feet of delicious baked goodness. This news comes shortly after the opening of the biggest Greggs yet, in Primark’s own flagship store in Birmingham.
Greggs has also announced plans to extend late opening times to 500 sites all over the country, as well as offering delivery for some 1,300 sites too.
The chain, however, couldn't have humbler origins. Eighty years ago, John Gregg started delivering fresh eggs and yeast to the people of Newcastle by bike. After a decade he opened his first bricks and mortar site on Gosforth High Street (there is still a branch there by the way) which was the start of the Greggs we know today.
Now, there are almost 2,000 sites all over the UK, turning out sausage rolls and the likes to hungry commuters in the mornings through to late-night snacks.
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