Greggs Launches Its First Exciting Store in Kent Town Centre
Greggs has officially launched its first store in the town centre of Folkestone, Kent, creating excitement among local residents. This opening marks a significant milestone for the bakery chain, which has long been anticipated by the community.
Details of the New Greggs Store
The new branch is located in the former Barclays building, which has remained vacant since June 2023. Situated at the intersection of Sandgate Road and West Terrace, the store aims to offer a modern and convenient dining experience for its customers.
- Opening Date: Today
- Location: Corner of Sandgate Road and West Terrace, Folkestone
- Store Hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Job Creation: 12 new jobs
- Seating: Indoor and outdoor options available
Community Impact
The introduction of Greggs in Folkestone is expected to boost the local economy. Gillian Long, the retail operations director at Greggs, emphasized the importance of the new store for both job creation and providing locals with access to their favorite bakery items.
Previously, the closest Greggs branch was two miles away at a Shell garage in Cheriton. With this launch, the town centre now has its own dedicated Greggs, enhancing local dining options.
Additional Insights
Interesting to note, neighboring towns Dover and Ashford each host three Greggs locations. The bakery chain is also planning to expand further, with a new store set to open in Whitstable High Street.
In related news, Roisin Currie, the chief executive of Greggs, has expressed concerns over rising business costs due to national insurance hikes. As the company faces challenges, it is scaling down its plans to open new locations this year, now expecting to launch 120 shops instead of the previously planned 140.
Greggs has also adjusted its menu pricing to cope with these rising costs, which include the higher employer national insurance rates and increases in the minimum wage.
As Greggs continues its expansion in Kent, the new Folkestone store stands as a beacon of its commitment to serving communities with quality baked goods.
