Greggs new self-serve changes slammed by customers

The popular bakery chain revealed it has removed items, including sandwiches and bottled drinks, from its self-serve fridge section at least five locations as part of a recent trial.

Customer favourites have now been moved behind the counter in shops that are “exposed” to higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

Taking to social media yesterday (May 19), people were quick to share their concern around the changes.

One user on a Reddit thread said: “It was nice to have grown up in a high trust society. I feel sad my kids won’t experience it.”

Another said: “It’s only going to get worse from here.

“We’re going to end up back at counter service like corner shops had in the 1940s.”

“This is just a sad state of affairs,” another user posted.

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“This is what happens when you have years of showing people there’s no consequences to petty crime…now we all must pay.”

Another person added: “It’s just ridiculous, why should we all have to be put under this?”

One of the Greggs locations affected by the trial is Whitechapel, East London, where customers must now ask staff at the till for sandwiches and bottled drinks.

It’s also been reported other stores have been fitted with “bank-style screens” at the counter or introduced full-time security guards, according to The Sun.

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However, a few comments were in support of the measures, with one person saying: “I don’t care if I have to ask [for food] as thieves are the worst.”

A Greggs spokesperson said: “This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a handful of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

“Customers can expect to see our full range of great value and tasty Greggs favourites available from behind the counter. The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.”