PLANS for a bakery on Bangor’s High Street have divided opinion in the city.
Traders are concerned that Bangor High Street is becoming overrun with food outlets at the expense of retail businesses, after it was revealed that the city’s Game shop is to be replaced by a Greggs bakery.
Dave Thomas, who owns the sandwich and salad bar Crumbs, said that another eatery was the last thing the High Street needed.
“What we’re concerned about is the fact that there is less opportunity for other people. We’re not objecting to competition.
“But to lose a retailer and gain another food place?
“Is that right?”
Mr Thomas pointed out that Grazia cafe on the High Street had recently folded within six months of its opening.
“The council have come to the decision that they are better off filling the place than leaving it empty, but at who’s expense?” he added.
“Why not bring more retail into the town, rather than eateries?”
Valla’s fish and chip shop manager, Cheryl Williams, also said the High Street was over saturated with food outlets.
“I can see the appeal with Greggs, that they sell nice food cheaply, but unless Game is going somewhere else, they’re sacrificing one retail unit for hot food, and is that necessarily the right balance for Bangor High Street?,” she said.
A spokesman for Greggs said the company had carried out research to ensure ample demand for the new store exists.
“We’d like to reassure local traders that we never deliberately target individual or small businesses,” the spokesperson said.
“We believe that a mix of local, independent, regional and national bakeries are good for the baking industry as a whole, and also good for the consumer by giving them additional choice.
“The company is committed to being socially responsible in the way that it runs its business and prides itself on the contribution it makes to local communities.”
Bangor councillor Doug Madge defended the presence of Greggs on the High Street.
“I think that Greggs, which is a big, well known and respected brand, will be good for the High Street,” he said.
“It might prompt other big chains to come to the High Street.
“You have got to look for the long term.”
A spokesman for Gwynedd Council said: “Supporting the regeneration of our town centres is one of the Council's key priorities in dealing with the ongoing tough financial climate.”
Meanwhile, a Starbucks spokesman confirmed that the coffee shop chain have also looked into opening a store in Bangor.
However, the spokesman said: “We don’t have any announcements about a new Starbucks store in Bangor at this time.”