It’s not quite pasties at dawn but residents in a Cornish town are deeply divided over the issue of a recently opened Greggs shop. Saltash is the first town tourists reach when they go over the bridge over the River Tamar into Cornwall and now they can stop off at the familiar bakery chain and pick up sausage rolls, cakes, and sandwiches, to give them fuel for their drive further down south.
Greggs did have a franchise store in the town until three-and-a-half years ago but it closed down due to lack of business.
This time it’s in a different location and is run by the bakery chain itself with the company saying it has made the move due to “high customer demand”.
There isn’t a Cornish pasty on the menu, and it isn’t even selling its usual beef and vegetable pasty.
It opened on June 10 and, while it has been welcomed by some, others are fiercely opposed.
Amy Colleen said: “I think it’s an insult to Cornwall for Greggs to impose this side of the border.
“There are so many incredible, true Cornish bakeries around that need the custom. Bakers Cornish Bakehouse for example is absolutely fantastic, from their Cornish pasty to their Steak and Blue Cheese.
“Greggs can take their ugly chain and try somewhere else. Hopefully, the flock of summer tourists equally consider their options before taking their custom to Greggs.”
Sharon Lamb said: “Why on earth would we want to welcome big city firms trying to take over from our fine local producers?
“It’s a huge no from me, I won’t be going anywhere near it.”
Justine Tippett agreed, saying: “We have a fabulous local independent bakery here in Saltash so no, I’m not going to be using a Greggs.
“Any Cornish person attempting to purchase a pasty outside of Cornwall is always disappointed so why would we want those companies opening in our town?
“Most Cornish won’t even eat a Ginsters, which is made in Cornwall, or a Warrens, which is the oldest pasty producer in Cornwall, because they’re mass produced and the taste isn’t the same.”
And, commenting on the recipe for the pasties that the previous Greggs sold in Saltash, Dianne Holman-Smith said: “The first one didn’t last too long. I bought a pasty-type thing there once. It was grim and even the dog refused it.”
Neil Grose said: “Carrot in a pasty is as useless as t**s on a boar hog.”
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Stacey Stnémèlc sees things differently. She said: “Greggs don’t bake Cornish pasties so I don’t see it as competition to our local bakeries who do specialise in traditional Cornish fare.
“The location of it is aimed at passing travellers. Other companies in the location include Subway, Burger King, McDonald’s, and Costa.
“None of which are local or specialists of the traditional. If people do fancy a pasty or similar there are plenty of places nearby.
“I also feel that Greggs has done a lot to bring veganism into the mainstream. Unfortunately, some of our local bakers aren’t quite there yet (others are more so) so it may help to move things forward locally.”
And Alex Mitchell said: “I’m all for a Greggs. It creates local employment and I enjoy the food. So long as pasties are not sold I see no issue.”
Cherie Antrobus thinks the Greggs will do much better than it did last time in the town. She said: “We are the gateway to Cornwall and it’s a shoddy show. Such a shame. Greggs will do well because there’s nothing else local and fresh to be had.”
A Greggs spokesperson says the chain now has four shops in Cornwall; in Saltash, St Austell, Launceston and Truro, and now employs more than 50 people in the county in total.
The Saltash shop has brought 13 new jobs to the south Cornwall town.
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie said: “We are delighted that our products have been so warmly received by our customers across the county.
“As well as being able to offer a brilliant experience to customers when they visit us, we’re always keen to ensure we can make a positive impact to local communities and the jobs we have created – along with the incoming breakfast club in Launceston (hopefully with more to follow) – is testament to that in Cornwall.
“Driven by customer demand, the new opening forms an integral part of our wider growth strategy and contributes to our target of opening 150 net shops in 2023.
“We’re thankful for the support we’ve had from our Cornish customers and look forward to building on this success in the future.”