Greggs the Bakers (Shop)

I don't often visit Greggs, only occasionaly do I pop in for the odd sausage roll. I can't help but enlighten those who haven't visited though, and to recommend going in to one of the many shops around. In fact, you'll find that Gregg's have popped up in most places in towns and cities, pleasing fans of their products for sale.

Gregg's bakeries are well known for their delish selection of products available and pretty faultless customer service. With over 1,000 shops scattered across the UK, the company has expanded into a popular and well established business.

IN THE BEGINING...

Years and years ago, Greggs was founded as a family bakery business and was once in control of a Mr John Gregg. His death in 1964 apparantly marked a major change in the company. John's son Ian took over, and a fairly substantial expansion plan took off that spread across the UK starting off from the North East and going from there. Today, Greggs is the leading bakery retailer and there are as said over 1,000 shops everywhere, making it a very recognizable company. Still ran by family members today it's heritage and beliefs remain the same. It promises to serve fresh baked goods prepared in store, and this is true as most of the products on present menus are turned from dough to hot and fresh baked loveliness over time in the stores ovens. Heritage is also reflected in their production of local and traditional goods such as 'stotties' in the North East and Scotch Pies, the scottish delicacy.
Over the years Greggs has grown in core growth and it has continued to build up it's reputation as a popular snack food stop for peckish people everywhere.

My own local Greggs is down the highstreet in our local shopping mall and is a welcoming lunchtime rendez-vous point for many. It offers a great selection of cakes, breads and savouries to try and it's staff are always on hand to help. Queues can be pretty long at times, but this is to be expected especially at certain times of the day, and not surprisingly on weekends. You can be lucky if you pick your moments. You can then peruse the ranges of foods available and choose whatever you happen to feel like at the time.

SANDWICH SELECTION...

The sandwich selection you may have seen in store, are said to be made with the highest quality of ingredients available and are made fresh every day. There is a range of wedge sandwiches on sale, and a tasty looking array of fillings to choose from. They have Extra Bites and Oval Bites within their range and have also introduced a healthy alternative to those, offering a more nutricious munch - called Lifestyle Choice. The assortment of ingredients used in the sandwiches can include chicken salad, sweetcorn, tuna, ham, tomatoes etc. I have never had any of these before, but have heard positive feedback from friends who have had a taste. They are good sized and attractive when you see the finished product. I have heard that there is a service where you can pick and choose what you want and then watch your sandwich of choice being prepared. Something for those who aren't pressed for time methinks. Sandwiches made in this fashion are definitely taking off right now though. I do have in mind, the newly popular deli sandwich range McDonalds has recently introduced where everything is fresh, and everything is specially prepared for the waiting customer. Seeing as I work for them, I suppose this could be seen as a total plug, but it seems appropriate to mention!
Also it's worth adding that my local Greggs store sell packaged sandwiches in refridgerators so you have a bit more choice.

BREAD AND CAKES...

A variety of breads and cakes are on offer. Trays of tempting looking cakes are lined up by the windows for you to see. There's those little lemon tarts in foil cases, egg custards, scones, assorted cream cakes, and of course the all important doughnuts. The place would not be complete without them! They have the usual suger and fudge doughnuts, but they also supply little 'baby' ones packed in see through bags. They sell two bags varying in content. I bought a bag the other day and had a rather embarassing moment when I lifted one off the pile that lay there and I knocked another over. I tried to stop it from falling but fall it did, and along with all of it's innards. I blame the way they were stacked, anyone could have made the same mistake...Along with those treats, they sell bread ranging from rolls, loaves and baguettes.

SAVOURIES

I've saved the best for last really as the savoury range includes the infamous sausage roll, one of the only items I buy from Greggs. Those who enjoy these too will agree with me - they are pretty tasty! Gorgeously soft sausage meat wrapped in layers of crisp pastry, this item on the menu remains to be their best selling product. It's not hard to see why. They have their own unique taste, soft, tender, tasty, and filling they go down a treat. Also on the savoury range is the steak bakes, and pasties. There's the traditional cheese and onion pastie, and the chicken and steak bakes. I have tried a steak bake before along with the chicken and both tasted great, but I do prefer the sausage roll to them.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

My local store have a small range of chilled water and soft drinks, and along that as said before, are packaged sandwiches. You can also get some chocolate bars. I'm not sure of these are available in all Greggs bakeries. The selection of these items in my local store, are situated close to the entrance so if you're thirsty you're likely to be tempted to grab a bottle or can of something along with your lunch as you wait in line.

PRICES

Prices are in my opinion very reasonable, and for the great tasting items you're buying they are worth every penny. The doughnuts as mentioned in the bags, range from 50p to a £1, the £1 bag obviously containing more. To my knowledge, in the savoury range, items like the bakes can vary in price, ranging from 72p for the chicken bake, and a slightly more expensive 88p for the steak bake. Sausage rolls are I think currently 48p though I could be wrong. The price has been known to rise ever so slightly before so it could have again I'm unsure. I'll update when I know for sure, though the price I've listed is in my eyes, really good for the great quality of baking Greggs delivers. They say that their prices are able to be great value 'due to the economies of scale created by our regional bakeries and central savouries production sites. Whatever that means!

CONTACT

If you want a full range of products for sale in Greggs shops then you will need to contact your local store, or regional devision as products can differ in areas around the UK. You can contact the head office too. Any other problems or queries can also be directed to this office I should think. Greggs claims to welcome feedback and your experiences, so feel free to have a word if the need ever arises.

Greggs plc
Fernwood House
Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 1TL

Phone: 0191 281 7721

COMMUNITY

As well as offering it's loyal customers a means of filling their tums all through the day from mornings into the evenings, they also take part in charitable acts and believe in putting something back into local communities. They strive to be a business that is 'socially responsible' and from what I have found out are determined and committed in achieving this. Greggs plc donates one per cent of all profits to charity every year and in 2004 the end amount reached an impressive £615,000. The Gregg's Trust has also been set up, and established as a registered charitable trust in 1987. They provide grants to worthy causes and projects that can dramatically improve the lives of disadvantaged people. Kind members of the Gregg family donate dividends to the trust and an annual income reaches £800,000. There are also regional trust committees that allocate grants and they have so far given a massive £15 million pounds.

CONCLUSION

A great little place to pop into if you are ever in the mood for a quick bite or a big lunch. There's a great selection of breads, rolls, sandwiches and sweet sugary desserts to try so you're pretty spoilt for choice. A very friendly and successful bakery business. It surely wins fans every single day. Grab something when you next have the chance! Just try not to knock over any doughnuts will you?

Thanks for reading!

xxx majiggy xxx

www.greggs.co.uk