“Life is stressful enough,” consumers say as a major bakery chain closes its stores

A major baking giant with 2,000 branches has abruptly closed a store, confusing shoppers.

Greggs closed a store in Reading for good this weekend.

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The Whitley Street branch closed its doors for the final time yesterday, Saturday February 10 at 3pm.

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

Employees of the store told local media that the store was closing due to a steep rent increase.

The Sun has approached Greggs for comment.

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

One user said: “Stripped. I have no idea what I'm going to feed my angels now.”

“Stupid decision,” someone else declared.

“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 closed 44 stores in the first half of the year, but opened 94 branches in the same period, including three outlet stores.

While the high street has generally suffered huge numbers of store closures since the pandemic, Greggs has continued to grow rapidly.

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

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

What happens to the catering industry?

Several restaurant chains and retailers have struggled to make ends meet in recent years.

Energy costs have risen and more consumers than ever are choosing to order online instead of going to the store.

This leaves some brands struggling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Papa John's has confirmed that eight UK branches closed last month until a new owner could be found.

Taco Bell, which has not been on the scene for 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 it will not open any new restaurants until at least 2025 after confirming a decline in profits.

Costa Coffee confirmed last month that it had closed two cafes.

Italian restaurant chain Prezzo announced plans to close 46 restaurants by April 2023 due to rising energy and food costs, putting 810 jobs at risk.

Even Wetherspoon has struggled to weather the storm, with 40 pubs closing last year and as many as 20 preparing to close this year.

In other news, Greggs fans are going crazy for 'beautiful' sweet treats that are back on the menu after a year away.

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

Fans can buy the returning 124 calorie cinnamon flat white from £2.50 nationwide.

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

But foodies can only pick them up from 10 locations in the North East.

The 10 stores trying out the new and improved chicken burgers and wraps are:

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

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