Lunchtime rush as Greggs in Newark moves from Stodman Street to bigger store in market place

Shoppers flocked to the new home of Greggs in Newark town centre on Friday to grab the bakery's signature bites, as well as some new hot food items.

Greggs has moved into the former Bonmarché unit, just a few doors down from the former 24 Stodman Street store which was built in 1668 — and a far cry from the new, fresh and bright shop.

People can now dine in as there are 38 seats available, many more than the former store which wasn't able to seat people since the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers were constantly in and out the bakery and staff were rapid and extremely friendly in their service — constantly cleaning tables for more people to sit and enjoy their lunches.

Shoppers were very pleased with the new store and offering — including a new hot counter with hash browns, tomato soup, spicy BBQ chicken bites and southern fried potato wedges to name a few — and many stated a bigger Greggs was exactly what Newark needed.

Manager Adam Taylor said the move was fantastic for the town, with the bigger store having recruited more staff and another shop opening soon at the Maltings Retail Park on Northgate.

"There will be plenty of staff here and at the Maltings to look after you," said Adam.

"We really want people to come and have a look and tell us what they think of the new store — and grab a coffee and cake while you're here."

He added a bigger Greggs had the potential to bring more people into the town centre, which could encourage shoppers to further support independent businesses.

The move means the old unit — the Grade I listed former Governor's House — will be left empty.

This could form part of something wider that suggests a transformation of Newark town centre.

Earlier this year, plans were approved to convert the space above some retail units in St Mark's Place — just behind the old Greggs — into living space.

The application relates to units eight, nine, ten and 11, which include Game and Millets, and will result in the creation of seven residences.

Other plans submitted this year include proposals to transform the site of the former Marks and Spencer store on Stodman Street, and widen St Mark's Lane between said street and Lombard Street — to create more public space and better accessibility.

The store would be replaced with new commercial and retail space on the ground floor, with residential apartments above.