Greggs reopen in Edinburgh: First customers through the doors say ‘it’s been far too long’

The new look stores have floor marking, protective clothing for staff and screens at the counters, as well as a reduced menu to ensure social distancing in kitchens and workspaces.

At the Shandwick Place branch, near the West End of Princes Street, a queue had already started to form 15 minutes before opening time, as Greggs fans eagerly anticipated the re-opening.

Among the first through the doors were best mates Martin McDonnell, 39, and Chris Black, 37.

The pair had travelled by car from the Shandon area of the city to be among the first to get their hands on food from the famous bakery.

“It's been far too long since I had a Greggs,” beamed Martin, before admitting, “I'll probably end up buying too many sausage rolls and making myself sick.”

Chris added: “Three months without Greggs... it's like being reunited with an ex-girlfriend. I can't wait to get my chops around a couple of steak bakes.”

Sandra Walker, 44, from Granton, was another early bird as Greggs reopened – and she too couldn’t wait to be fed.

She said: “As soon as I heard they were reopening, I’d just had to be here. I work round the corner and I’ve got a bag of doughnuts for my colleagues.

“Everyone loves a Greggs – and we’ve all really missed it.”

At the Newkirkgate branch of Greggs in Leith, the re-opening was a little quieter than staff anticipated – though they expect to be much busier as the days goes on.

"There was only about four people queuing when we opened the doors, but I expect it will be much busier by lunchtime," said branch manager Giammarco Fino, 39.

The Edinburgh branches that reopened on Thursday:

Shandwick Place

Newkirkgate

Harewood Drive

Fort Kinnaird

Stenhouse Place East

Chesser Road

Lady Road

Portobello High Street

The West Lothian branches that are open:

Broxburn Fairfield

Linlithgow Regent Street

Livingston at the Centre

Livingston on Hawkbrae

Whitburn Main Street

The East Lothian branches that are open:

Haddington Market Street.

Musselburgh High Street

The Dalkeith store and Bonnyrigg High Street store in Midlothian have also opened.

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