Call to shun Greggs over sausage roll in crib
CUSTOMERS were urged to boycott baker Greggs yesterday after it replaced Jesus in his crib with a sausage roll for a nativity scene to advertise its advent calendar.
The £24 calendar is available in selected shops and behind each door is a voucher for one of its treats.
The firm’s decision to use a publicity image of the Three Wise Men around the crib containing a sausage roll has sparked outrage.
The Reverend Mark Edwards, of St Matthews and St Cuthberts churches in Newcastle upon Tyne, felt so strongly about the “shocking, offensive” picture he wrote a letter of complaint to Greggs.
He is also calling for customers to boycott the bakery chain.
He said: “I think this advert is appalling, disgusting and I know Greggs wouldn’t dare treat another religion in this way.
“This is an affront to millions of Christians.
“I would challenge Greggs to do the same thing to any other religion. They simply would not do it. I would challenge them to release a similar stunt during Ramadan and face the backlash. It would be huge.”
Greggs released its annual festive advent calendar yesterday and almost immediately faced a torrent of criticism over the image which appears to show the three wise men bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh, kneeling down beside the sausage roll.
Yesterday a Greggs spokesman said: “We are really sorry to have caused any offence, this was never our intention.“
The Rev Edwards added: “I will be encouraging my flock to boycott Greggs and I will never go there again.”