Our town is too Wellbread for Greggs...

DESPITE being a high street stalwart throughout the UK, Greggs has come up against opposition from some residents who claim the arrival of one of its shops risks ripping the "heart" out of their Georgian market town.

- Faye Mayern

Among those objecting to the chain's application to open an outlet in an empty shop are the owners of Wellbread Bakers - an independent business of more than 40 years.

Emma Godfrey, who runs it with husband Andy in Swaffham, Norfolk, said: "Wage and energy costs are at an all-time high and small businesses like us are having to fight to survive. We sell filled rolls and hot food - with Greggs coming in that is going to affect our takings. We'd have to make redundancies as we can't keep putting our prices up. We can't just shut the doors and jump into another job.