Greggs

if you happen to be looking for an immediate snack of some description while wandering up and down London Road, then this is most likely going to be the only branded place you’ll see. If you feel more comfortable buying from a name you know, or if you just want something to grab and go, then this’ll be the place for you!
Maybe I’ve been sheltered where I’ve come from in my terrible Kentish town, but this Greggs was pretty large by the standards I’m used to, and stocked a temptingly large supply of iced buns that I wouldn’t describe as standard issue… If you do have more than a couple of moments to hand, you should pop over to the lanes and get yourself a little different, but when it comes to convenience, Greggs supplies pasties of the stuff.

This Greggs branch is pretty standard — pastries, cheese straws, cakes, sandwiches… My only reason for having any particular experience with it is as my friend spent a summer working there — she had to wear a hair net which was impressive (and funny) as few eating businesses bother these days! There is other choice in the area — with great simple sandwiches at Poppy’s — but I’m not sure what else there is bakerywise.
Apparently Greggs is one of the most fast growing businesses at the moment, with people wanting cheap comfort food in the bleak recession times! I’m not against Greggs but would choose somewhere independent if there was a choice. I know in my West country home town a Greggs just opened and there are now queues out the door every Saturday — even in the freezing weather, and even though there’s a just as cheap local bakery two doors down — depressing!

A medium-​sized branch of the popular bakery chain, situated in the district shopping centre along London Road.
It sells the familiar range of bread, pasties, pies, cakes and buns, as well as filled sandwiches and rolls.
I’m not the greatest fan of their bread, but for hot snacks, and pasties especially, the quality is good — not outstanding, but better than many specialist pasty chains, and the prices are very reasonable. I’m also a sucker for old fashioned pastries occasionally — Eccles Cakes and Custard Slices.
A reliable bet for a quick hot snack or a treat.