‘Omg all the shops are going’ cry shoppers as bakery giant with 2,000 branches confirms store closure

SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a much-loved bakery giant confirmed it will be abruptly closing one of its branches.

Greggs, which has more than 2,000 branched across the UK, has confirmed it will be closing a store in Bristol.

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The store is located inside the Broadwalk shopping centre and the closing date has not yet been confirmed.

Locals took to Facebook to share their disappointment at hearing the news.

One user said: “Omg all the shops are going from there.”

Another said: “Shame it was very popular.”

Greggs declined to comment but added that it would be opening several stores in the Bristol area soon.

It looks like Greggs is just one of 30 stores in the shopping centre that is due to close.

The Bristol Broadwalk shopping centre will be redeveloped into around 800 flats which would see all the retailers inside forced to close.

B&M, Iceland, Card Factory, TUI, Superdrug, Poundland, Shoezone and Subway are amongst other brands in the shopping centre which could be closing for good.

The Sun has contacted Broadwalk Shopping Centre for comment.

This will be the second Greggs closure we have seen this year, last month a store in Whiteley Street shut its doors for good.

However, Greggs doesn’t seem to be taking too much of a hit as it opened several new stores last year including a drive-through and an outlet shop.

The boss of Greggs has said the chain is on track with plans to open 150 new shops across the UK.

Greggs currently runs around 2,300 shops across the UK, but said it hopes to expand to more than 3,000 as part of its long-term growth strategy.

The company said it could accelerate plans and open more sites if they become available.

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.

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.

What is happening to the high street?

The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.

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

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

The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closing.

Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.

WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.

Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk