Greggs fans slam Westminster City council for blocking the bakery in Leicester Square
By Hannah Neary, Local Democracy Reporter
A council has been slammed after the new Greggs in Leicester Square was blocked from selling late-night sausage rolls.
Some Londoners have backed the bakery giant after Westminster City council refused to allow the sale of late-night food and drink at the new flagship store in the West End.
Greggs wanted to serve late-night food and drink from 11pm until 5am and keep the new bakery in Leicester Square open at all times.
But the council refused to grant the company the licence to do so on Friday, arguing the plans were “half-baked” and could cause antisocial behaviour.
Many were outraged by the council’s decision, with some arguing the new store would be an ideal spot for shift workers in need of a pick-me-up.
Truck driver Duncan Davies, who works night shifts, said: “How ridiculous… [a] 24hr opening would [have] been ideal for night workers like myself to get hot food and drink. It’s bad enough now unless you want to live on McDonald’s or over priced-petrol station sandwiches.”
Andrew Weir said: “Lots of people in London work well into the night and shifts. Why not allow them some food when they finish work? So many people are out of touch.”
The council’s cabinet member for licensing and communities, Aicha Less, previously said: “We’re as excited as anybody about the arrival of Greggs in Leicester Square and I’m sure people across the West End will flock to get themselves a sausage roll, steak bake or jam doughnut.
“However, legitimate concerns have been raised by the police and local people that these plans are half baked.
“There are worries that businesses serving 24/7 in the city centre creates challenges and that the bakery could become a hot spot for late night disturbances and anti-social behaviour.”
The Met Police had also objected to the plans. In a letter to the council, a representative said: “It is our belief that if granted, the application could undermine the licensing objectives in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder.”
A representative for Greggs previously told Westminster’s licensing team there’s no seating near the new shop “for people to loiter” and Greggs is “a company with integrity”.
They added: “Greggs is an excellent neighbour. There’s no intention to draw hoards of new people in. There are other Greggs offers in the locality, so it’s not as if everybody needs to ascend upon this particular premises.”
A report by Greggs said it would use a constant CCTV system at the premises and always have a door supervisor at the site. It also said Greggs has two late-night bakeries in Newcastle, which “have not demonstrated any issues or problems”.
Westminster City Council declined to comment further.
Pictured top: Proposed Greggs at Leicester Square CGI (Picture: Greggs)