Additional reporting by Freya Miller
Shoppers say Greggs will be a welcome addition to a historic Kent high street – as long as it does not cause independent businesses to struggle.
Some concerns had been raised that the arrival of the UK’s largest bakery could detract from Whitstable’s unique charm and character of the conservation area.
A new Greggs is set to open in High Street, Whitstable, filling a hole left by the Eat 17 convenience store
But most people KentOnline spoke to in the town centre this week were in support, with Greggs set to fill a derelict unit that has sat empty for five years.
Canterbury City Council last week approved plans to change the front of the building, formerly home to Eat 17 convenience store.
Roy Johnson, of Alan R Long Butchers nearby, is “not worried” about Greggs making inroads into a high street traditionally dominated by independent shops.
“I think it is half for and half against, but Whitstable is so busy, so it won’t affect local places as they’re always full,” the 48-year-old said.
“Greggs is reasonably priced – it will be nice to see it open.”
Butcher Roy Johnson at Alan R Long says he is “not worried” about the Greggs opening nearby in Whitstable
Whitstable resident Annabelle Selwood, who supports the move, says it is “important to have affordable food”.
“It is a quick place for people to go, and there needs to be balance,” the 23-year-old said.
“It is good there are still small businesses – I don’t want them to be taken over.”
But staff at Hubbard’s Bakery on the same street voiced concerns that the town’s first-ever Greggs could siphon away trade.
“It is not good as it is a chain,” they said. “Tourists will go there as it is what they know.”
Whitstable resident Annabelle Selwood says it is “important to have affordable food” after plans for a new Greggs were approved
Greggs, which has more than 2,600 outlets across the UK, will replace the entrance and put up new signage, while also installing air conditioning and extraction units in the back.
On giving the scheme the green light, the city council’s planning team said the proposals “relate acceptably” to the building, site context and character and appearance of the Whitstable Town Conservation Area.
“Given the variation observed in the street-scene, it is considered the proposed signage would not appear cluttered or incongruous in this context,” a planning officer said in official papers.
“Nor would it detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area or character of the existing building.
An example of Greggs’ signage
“Small-scale vinyls are also proposed for the front windows.
“But given their limited size, they would not harm the vitality of the street scene or character and appearance of the conservation area.”
The planning chief’s comments came despite three strong objections centring on five points, largely taking issue with the aesthetics.
Opponents said Greggs would be an incongruous addition to the area.
Not only did they raise concerns about Greggs’ classic colour scheme, but the signage, they said, “will detract from the charm, character and historic nature of the high street”.
Situated a matter of metres away from Sainsbury’s Local, the former Morrisons and Eat 17 convenience store was also part of Cain’s Amusements portfolio up until October 2014.
It was taken over by Spar a few years later and has sat empty since CJ’s Discount Store packed up and departed in 2020.
No date has yet been set for the opening of the new outlet.
Greggs declined to comment when approached by KentOnline.