Town unable to prevent Greggs from opening on its main street.

Last month, the new Greggs store in Swaffham, Norfolk finally opened its doors to the public. However, this was not without controversy as residents of the posh market town had fiercely opposed its arrival on their high street. The store had replaced a budget furniture store that closed down last year.

Despite the efforts of locals who had gathered over 1,000 signatures on a petition to stop the chain from opening, Swaffham County Council did not object to the new store. The main concern of the residents was that the popularity of Greggs would take away business from other family-run establishments in the area, like the Wellbread Bakers. In fact, one of their regular customers, Karl Chappell, had started the petition.

The Wellbread Bakers, which has been a staple in Swaffham for decades, was now facing the threat of losing loyal customers to the new Greggs. Emma Godfrey, who runs the bakery with her husband Andy, expressed their worries about the impact the chain could have on their business. She shared that they might have to let go of some employees if they lose significant business to Greggs.

Emma also believed that the presence of Greggs would deter customers from discovering other hidden gems in the town. She pointed out that Greggs is not just a bakery but also a large chain coffee shop, and Swaffham already has a number of independent coffee shops. She added that locals prefer to support businesses they know and trust, rather than big chains.

The situation was made worse when it was discovered that the new Greggs had opened without proper planning permission. With this in mind, the residents hoped that the town council would take action against the store. However, much to their disappointment, the town hall granted the bakery retrospective permission to remain open.

For the Godfreys and their 14 team members, this decision could mean the loss of their beloved bakery that has been serving the community for years. They fear that this could have a ripple effect on the town, as their employees all live within a 5-mile radius of Swaffham. Emma emphasized that it's a shame to lose such a community-oriented business in favor of a big chain store.

Despite the setback, the Swaffham Town Council did not object to the proposal, leaving the residents feeling defeated. The arrival of Greggs in the town has undoubtedly caused a rift among the locals, with some supporting the chain while others remain loyal to their favorite local businesses. Only time will tell what the future holds for these establishments and the town of Swaffham.

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