Greggs fans in Canterbury may soon enjoy discounted sausage rolls as the bakery chain plans to open a new outlet store in the city. The company has officially launched a bid to establish its 57th UK outlet at a long-abandoned Carphone Warehouse unit in Wincheap Retail Park.
Details of the Proposed Outlet
In a letter to Canterbury City Council, Greggs' agents stated that the new store would be 'an appropriate use, further strengthening Wincheap Retail Park'. The site, located between a Morrisons and a Hobbycraft store, has been vacant since 2020 when Carphone Warehouse closed its doors. The retail park, about a 25-minute walk from the city centre, also hosts KFC, Next, Boots, Pets at Home, and Costa Coffee.
Greggs Outlet stores have been operating since 1972, selling redistributed surplus food at discounted prices to combat waste. A portion of profits is donated to charities supporting local communities. If approved, this would be one of the few Greggs outlet locations in the South East, as most are concentrated in the North East, Midlands, and Scotland. Currently, Kent residents must travel to London or Southampton for discounted baked goods.
Recent Greggs Expansion in Kent
Greggs has been expanding across Kent recently. In October 2025, a new store opened in Folkestone. In April 2026, the chain launched a location on Whitstable High Street. While many welcomed the news, some locals expressed concerns about the impact on the town's unique charm.
Commenting on a KentOnline article, user Gordon Bennett wrote: 'People are actually pleased that this ultra processed rubbish is coming to Whitstable?' ThomasS74 added: 'Ghastly place – sorry.' Facebook user Glyn Brown said: 'My god, this can’t be true. What an absolute NIGHTMARE!' Local businesses also voiced nervousness. Hubbard’s Bakery, a family-owned business, told KentOnline: 'It is not good as it is a chain. Tourists will go there as it is what they know.'
However, one Reddit user, @WAKIXABIX, commented: 'I don’t get the big deal with Greggs, just a bakers to me with coffee. Plenty of better places and food at local bakers, butchers and coffee shops.'
Conservation Area Restrictions
Despite council approval for the Whitstable branch, Greggs had to make concessions. The high street lies within The Whitstable Town Conservation Area, a 52.9-hectare zone protecting the historic coastal character. To preserve heritage, the storefront was painted grey instead of the iconic blue. One Redditor noted: 'Greggs just looks weird when it’s grey,' adding 'it’s just a miserable colour.'
Currently, Canterbury City Council has not made a public decision regarding the Wincheap Retail Park location.
Greggs Vending Machines on the Horizon
In other news, Greggs may soon introduce vending machines for sausage rolls and other items. The chain plans to experiment with new retail formats after a 'promising' response to its first three Bitesize shops, which are smaller stores in train stations, airports, and retail parks. During a recent earnings call, CFO Richard Hutton revealed that 'unattended retail solutions' will be trialed 'very shortly', including both automated and manual vending machines.
