Greggs Moment

It was 8 in the morning I was walking around Newcastle City Centre waiting for my train to Scotland when to my surprise I saw ‘Greggs Moments’, what to me looked like an upmarket version of Greggs! I assume this is a trial of the new addition to the Greggs empire seeing as Newcastle is the home of Greggs. Doing my research, they drafted in an interior designer (Phillip Watts) and even had The Guardian bigging up their efforts. I assume they are trying to aim at the modern city worker and social shopper market, trying to wipe off their ‘chavvy’ greasy sausage roll image. Yes even Newcastle is now quite a cosmopolitan city (up there with Leeds and Manchester) and times are changing.
Big question you’re all asking… ‘Does it suck?‘
Well, it’s a whole lot better than the usual Greggs you get up and down the UK, though there are still things that annoy me about it. Though the barista was really nice and chirpy (it was in the morning and the place was empty), the place looked nicer, My coffee didn’t taste too nice. Some of the food was also a bit overpriced for what they are, but it’s not too bad. The tables outside are a nice touch in nice weather.
I can see this doing well outside of Newcastle in places such as Leeds, but first of all they need to improve the concept a bit and get some nice coffee in because mine sucked balls. Also the place looks better than usual Greggs, but there really is nothing that sets it apart from Starbucks (one of their big competitors). Feels a bit souless. They could make each one look a bit unique, reflecting the areas they are in?
I’ll be generous and give it a 3. It serves its purpose and is Greggs without the ‘chavvy image’. Not too bad Greggs, not bad at all.