High street bakery Greggs has submitted a planning application to open a new branch in an East Lancashire town.
Greggs has applied to Pendle Borough Council to convert a unit at North Valley Retail Park in Colne into a bakery.
If approved, the new site in North Valley Road would be Colne’s second branch of Greggs, with the first situated in Market Street.
The retail park is currently home to an Aldi supermarket, Poundstretcher discount store and Matalan clothing shop, as well as a McDonald’s restaurant, KFC eatery, National Tyres and Autocare workshop and a Toyota car showroom.
The unit where a new Greggs may open was last used as a shop called Beauty Spot Warehouse, which has since relocated to Colne town centre.
Explaining the reason for the application, planning documents state: “It is proposed the introduction of a Greggs bakery within the mixed-use/business area will provide a complementary service to the area, providing an important supporting use thereby reducing unsustainable car journeys, improving the attractiveness of the area for existing and new businesses, whilst also generating employment in its own right.”
The layout for the new bakery would see a baking area, service tills and seating for up to 20 people, and the unit has five dedicated parking spaces for customers.
People will be able to pick up the classic selection of Greggs goodies, from the iconic sausage rolls and steak bakes, to its breakfast options, array of cold sandwiches and drinks, barista coffee, sweet treats, the growing vegan range and more.
If approved, Greggs has said the bakery would create 10 new jobs – two full-time and eight part-time roles – which would be recruited locally, and permission is being sought for opening hours of 5am to 11pm, seven days a week.
The plans add: “The proposed Greggs bakery is considered to offer a complementary service to visitors and occupiers of North Valley Retail Park and other occupiers in the immediate vicinity of the site, providing an accessible, attractive and affordable bakery bringing lunching opportunities to the area.”
Public consultation on the plans is open until Tuesday, September 27, to allow nearby residents to have their say on the plans.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here