Greggs forced to close stores due to heatwave

Hot weather is currently plaguing Britain, with Greggs stores across the nation being forced to shutter due to staff safety concerns amid the scorching temperatures.

Love it or loathe it, the UK heatwave is still in full swing.

Some of us have been taking full advantage of the weather by heading to local parks and beaches where disposable BBQs are permitted. And a game of rounders, anyone?

Others have been flexing their pitmaster muscles, channelling their inner Melissa Cookston and Guy Fieri by rustling up a meaty feast of skewers, steaks, and other meat cuts on charcoal.

If you have done neither, and instead wanted to cool down with a Greggs iced matcha or nibble on a moreish chicken sausage roll for lunch, then you’ve probably been left a little bit disappointed this week.

Greggs has temporarily shut down some of its stores, including its London flagship (Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

That’s because some stores were shut down; bosses didn’t think it was ‘safe’ for customers or staff to be in the buildings during the UK heatwave.

A report by The Mirror stated that 11 Greggs stores, including its London flagship, were closed yesterday (24 June).

It’s understood that due to the terrific temperatures, the food and drink outlets will also remain locked up today.

In a statement, the chain told FOODbible: “The following shops will be temporarily closed on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June to protect customers and colleagues during the severe hot weather."

The 11 stores impacted by the weather include:

• Aldridge
• Wolverhampton
• Luton
• Gosport
• Trowbridge
• Barnet
• Marlborough
• Wantage
• Dudley
• Northampton
• Leicester Square, London

Chicken roll fans will have to wait until tomorrow to get their fix (Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

Metro reported that the shops are expected to open on Friday, when temperatures take a slight dip.

Speaking to the BBC, one London-based member of staff said: "It's very hot. We have industrial ovens but no proper air conditioning in stores."

FOODbible has contacted Greggs for comment.

Greggs free breakfast rolls

The sudden shop closures come amid news that the business will be handing out free breakfast rolls across Scotland.

10,000 subs are up for grabs on a first-come, first-served basis. All you need to do to claim yours is head into your local outlet wearing a Scotland shirt.

The promo comes after Scotland’s 3-0 FIFA Men’s World Cup thrashing at the hands of Brazil at the Miami Stadium.

Greggs new mid-summer menu

From today (25 June), those whose Greggs is still in operation can head in-store to sample new menu additions: The Strawberries and Cream Muffin and the Iced Blueberry Matcha.

Strawberries and Cream Muffin

A Wimbledon-inspired sweet treat has joined the Greggs roster (Greggs)

The former, available from £1.60, is inspired by the Wimbledon Championships.

Designed to bring the taste of centre court straight to your desk, The Strawberries and Cream Muffin is layered with rich strawberry-flavoured pieces and finished with cream cheese frosting and freeze-dried strawberry pieces.

Take a bite and you’ll find a moreish, gooey strawberry jam centre.

Iced Blueberry Matcha

First-time app users can get a free Iced Blueberry Matcha (Greggs)

Greggs added a trio of matcha flavours to its roster earlier this year, and now the beloved brand has made it a quartet with the new Iced Blueberry Matcha.

The £3.60 beauty is made with fresh matcha green tea, semi-skimmed milk and a glug of blueberry flavour syrup.

Those who have yet to download or use the Greggs App get a coupon for a free drink—and you can use it on the Iced Blueberry Matcha.