GREGGXIT: Greggs is forced to SHUT its only branch in Cornwall after just a year amid furious backlash from locals

Traditional pasty fans rejoice as Greggs is forced to shut it’s only branch in Cornwall after one year. Greggs the bakery opened in Saltash in 2018 but locals opted for Cornish pasties. 

Traditional pasty fans are having a Greggxit after the branch has closed in Cornwall. When Greggs opened in September 2018, the locals of Saltash reacted with fury branding it ‘junk’ and ‘Satan’s franchise. They choose to remain loyal to what they knew best, which was their famous Cornish Pasties and opted to avoid the bakery chain. This is completely different compared to the rest of the UK, where Greggs has gone from strength to strength. 

Bosses confirmed this week its store has now closed after a ‘thorough review’, although they have around 1500 stores across the UK, they unfortunately have no presence anywhere in Cornwall after failing to crack the market. 

Locals have described the decision as a victory and also asked questions as to why Greggs even tried to establish themselves in its heartland. Ann Muller who is a commercial pasty maker, and business owner of Ann’s Pasties, said: ‘It wasn’t on my radar, I’ve never been to a Greggs and I don’t know what they’re like’.

‘People love a pasty in Cornwall. There isn’t a Cornish person around who doesn’t have a pasty at least once a week- and people like them traditional. I don’t know what the competition is like in Saltash, maybe there’s lots of competition there and people are loyal to their established bakeries.’ 

Greggs have said: ‘We continue to look for new opportunity sites across the South West of England as part of our long-term plans.’