Greggs to close Cambridge store on March 31

A bakery chain with over 2,600 branches in the UK is set to close its Cambridge store for good on March 31. The Greggs on Fitzroy Street will be shut, and staff may be moved to nearby locations. The closest Greggs will be in Station Square, which is just over a mile away. Customers have shared their disappointment online. One wrote, "I nearly cried at reading the news," while others expressed sadness about the closure, especially during exam times. This store is not the only Greggs location to close recently. A branch in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, closed in January due to a rent dispute. Another store in Coventry also shut down earlier this year. Despite these closures, Greggs is planning to open between 140 and 150 new stores this year. The company's boss, Roisin Currie, is optimistic about growth, even with rising costs. She mentioned sales exceeded £2 billion in 2024, marking an 11.3% increase from the previous year. However, high street retailers are facing challenges. Many shops are struggling as more people shop online. In fact, online retail sales have risen significantly, taking a larger share of total sales. Meanwhile, inflation is impacting consumers’ spending. A report from the House of Lords noted that high streets are shifting from traditional retail to a greater demand for restaurants and public services. Empty shops now symbolize decline in many town centers. As retailers face rising costs, closures are expected to continue. Predictions suggest around 17,350 retail sites will shut in 2025, partly due to increases in National Insurance contributions and minimum wage. Shopping habits are changing, with retailers like Next and Marks & Spencer moving to retail parks for better parking options, leaving traditional high streets struggling.