Greggs to sell pasties in Cornwall?

The national bakery chain Greggs could be set to sell its own brand of pasties in Cornwall.

Currently, the north east-based firm does not have any outlets further east than Exeter. However, it is opening new shops at a rate of 90 a year, and is on track to open its 2,000th within the next three to four years.

And the building of a new bakery in Wiltshire next year is likely to mean it will look to extend its reach into Cornwall for the first time.

However, following the award of Preferred Geographical Indicator status to the Cornish Pasty last year, Greggs will either have to buy its pasties from a local supplier, or refrain from calling them ‘Cornish’.

Greggs’ chief executive Ken McMeikan promised to be mindful of the Cornish Pasty’s heritage. He said: “We are always hugely respectful of local favourites, such as the stottie in the north east, and we would be particularly respectful of the Cornish Pasty.”

But despite the local competition he is likely to face, McMeikan said he was confident that Cornwall would embrace the Greggs brand.

“The great thing about modern day retailing is that people who live in Devon and Cornwall have probably already experienced Greggs while travelling.

“At the moment we just can’t get right the way down. It is likely to be 2013 or 2014 before the new bakery is up and running.”