Greggs will open 150 new shops across the UK this year

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

The sausage roll seller said it will open new stores in Cornwall and other areas where it currently has fewer sites as part the group’s rapid expansion plan.

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 expects to open 150 net new stores this year, but could accelerate the plans if more sites become available.

It comes as the group opens its fourth shop in Cornwall, in U2 Enterprise Park, Saltash, on Saturday as it targets locations where the group currently has a weaker presence.

Roisin Currie, who was appointed as chief executive last year, said she is pleased with the group’s progress in opening new sites.

‘The opening strategy is going to plan and the new location in Cornwall is a key part of that,’ she said.

‘Obviously we are a brand that started from the North and the natural growth of the business from there means there are some parts of the country, such as in Cornwall and the South West, where we see more scope to open sites.’

The new opening comes on top of existing shops in St Austell, Launceston and Truro in the county.

Bosses said that a number of new sites in the expansion plan will target UK tourists and travellers, with openings at travel locations such as forecourts and service stations.

Ms Currie said the group is also positive about investments into new products on its menu and is optimistic about summer trade.

Roisin Currie, who was appointed as chief executive last year, said she is pleased with the group’s progress in opening new sites

‘We have launched a number of new items, like chicken shawarma flatbreads, and they are all doing very well,’ she said.

‘We’re looking very positively towards the summer and hopefully this warm weather will mean more people out and about, and ultimately looking for somewhere to eat.’

The company has previously revealed exactly where seven new spots will be based, with London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle all set for new branches.

A Greggs store will open just a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh’s historic 12th century castle.  

And holidaymakers jetting off from Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal and Glasgow Airport will soon be able to pick up their favourite treats before they fly abroad, with new shops earmarked for each. 

Other new locations will include a branch at London’s Canary Wharf and Shepherd’s Bush stations, while Newcastle’s Primark Tasty Café and Spennymoor, County Durham, will also be getting their own outlets.

Greggs revealed the latest towns and cities where it will be opening its new stores as part of a plan to launch 150 outlets nationwide during 2023

Greggs already opened a record 186 new shops this year, and closed 39, with new chains popping up in transport hubs like train stations and airports, retail parks and drive-thrus. 

By the end of 2022, it had 2,328 branches dotted across the UK – but bosses at the bakery giant claim they want to eventually have more than 3,000 nationwide.

Greggs revealed its total sales hit a record high of £1.5 billion last year, up by nearly a quarter on the previous year.

Households grappling with rising living costs has resulted in loyal customers who return to Greggs for value meals, although the number of customers has remained below pre-pandemic levels, it said.