Now sit back and enjoy your doughnut

Paisley Centre’s Greggs to install new seating area

Greggs has been given the green light to transform a small takeaway into a cafe.

Bakery chain bosses will fit in seating for around 50 diners at its shop in the Paisley Centre.

Fridges and counters moved to make extra space during the revamp.

Planners signalled their support for the project in a report to Renfrewshire Council.

It stated: “The application seeks planning permission for the partial change of use of a shop, allowing the sale of goods and the provision of a seating area for the consumption of these goods on the premises.

“The retail unit, which is currently occupied, is situated within the Paisley Centre.

“There is a currently unoccupied coffee shop within the main concourse at ground-floor level and a food hall at the first-floor level.

“The proposed use is considered to be complementary to and compatible with existing uses and activities within the Paisley Centre and the wider town centre.

“This use can play an important role by providing a balanced provision which caters for varied needs through the day and evening, and by complementing the existing mix of retail, business, community, leisure and heritage uses.”

The renovation brings the shop in line with other bakery outlets at shopping centres.

The Phoenix Retail Park branch already features a seating area.

Bosses have also laid on tables at the shop at Silverburn in Glasgow.

The revamp follows significant investment in the area by massive food chains.

Costa Coffee has unveiled plans to move to the former Ashoka Shak in Linwood.

Taco Bell and Tim Hortons have also announced openings nearby.

The Canadian coffee giant will also setup at the Wallneuk Retail Park development being built on the site of a former bowling alley near Paisley town centre.

Starbucks wants to start trading from a drive-thru in Renfrew Road, while KFC has signalled intent for another restaurant at Ferguslie Park.

Dozens of jobs will be created by the outlets.

Melanie Ward, assistant manager at independent town centre coffee shop Blend, previously insisted small retailers should not fear the chains.

She said: “We’re much more focused on the experience of coming in than the get-in-get-out culture they breed.

“Starbucks started the trend of putting customers’ names on cups.

“But we’re just as interested in finding out their stories, not just what they’re called.”

Work is expected to start in the coming months.