Greggs to appeal ban on extended opening hours for Leicester Square store

Bakery chain Greggs is set to continue its fight for permission to sell its baked goods overnight in its Leicester Square location. The retailer, which is loved up and down the country for its sausage roll pastries, was denied permission to trade hot food 24 hours a day in its flagship store last year.

The central location opened its doors last summer as the bakery chain set up residency alongside some of the capital’s most luxurious cinemas in July. That same month, it was revealed that Greggs had applied for 24-hour service for its Leicester Square store, which was refused by Westminster City Council.

As stated on the Greggs website, its Leicester Square location is currently open until 11pm. The new hours proposed by the bakery chain would see the store’s existing opening time extended to the early morning until 5am.

Most of Gregg’s baked goods, including its classic pastry sausage rolls, do not specifically need a licence to sell during the proposed extended hours as they’re not kept hot in store. But the retailer would need permission for some of its other cooked products on its menu, including its breakfast rolls.

Nine months after the West End location was denied permission to open later, The Evening Standard reports that Greggs will appeal the decision in a three-day court hearing next month. This is set to take place between May 16 and May 18.