Planning documents have revealed that popular bakery chain Greggs is looking to open a new shop in Honiton.
Bakery giant Greggs has confirmed it is looking into opening a new store in Honiton.
Planning documents submitted to East Devon District Council earlier this month suggested the popular chain was looking to open a store at Honiton’s Heathpark Industrial Estate.
Proposals were submitted for a new aluminium roller shutter door, two new air conditioning condenser units and one extract grille to be installed at Unit 1A, on Reme Drive.
However, combined plans within the submitted papers reveal Greggs signage above the proposed fittings.
A spokeswoman for the chain said: “We are looking into the possibility of opening a new shop in Honiton in early 2019.
“We will have more information about exactly where and when in the near future.”
It is believed that Greggs will occupy one-half of Unit 1A, formerly occupied by Real Wood Furniture, on Reme Drive.
Real Wood Furniture has moved into one-half of Unit 2B (formerly Countrywide), with German Kitchen Company taking the other side.
It is rumoured that Toolstation will occupy the other half of Unit 1A, as the company is advertising jobs in Honiton, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Councillor Henry Brown, Honiton’s mayor, said Greggs is not going to save the town’s ‘dying’ high street - a task he said was ‘up to all of us’.
He added: “Whilst many will be concerned at how the introduction of a Greggs may hurt our town, I agree on one principle only - and that is its location. The Greggs store should be on the high street, so customers are amongst our actual shopping district.
“The bakery itself is inconsequential to small businesses now, as the bakeries at Co-op, Tesco and Lidl would have already put pay to the small independents from their fickle customer bases.
“What will likely happen is a bun fight between the larger corporations which will act as an example of capitalism benefitting the consumer - this is because they will have to offer a greater value product at a more desirable cost. This introduction will not have adverse effect on employment, but will actually offer some to our residents.”
The application will be determined by district planners.
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