GREGGS UPS ITS SLICE OF PIE

Pasty chain Greggs is set to create up to 2,000 new jobs this year.

The firm yesterday announced plans to open a net 110 to 130 more shops than this year.

The roll-out, which could create up to 1,950 jobs, comes in what the firm said would be a record year of investment.

Greggs now has 1,854 shops, up 90 in the past year. It came as Greggs said sales rose 3.7% last year, although growth slowed to 3% in the final three months. Boss Roger Whiteside said town centre shops were hit by a fall in shoppers in December, but said they were expanding into areas such as railway stations. Greggs is poised to launch a vegan-friendly sandwich and is looking to add an evening menu with chicken goujons to take on fast food giants McDonald’s and Burger King.

Greggs, like other food manufacturers, saw costs rise sharply last year as the Brexit vote-fuelled drop in the pound pushed up the price of important ingredients.

Whiteside said Greggs was “fighting tooth and nail” to offset cost pressures this year.