The high street bakery giant Greggs has taken a surprising leap into the pub business, but the prices at its new venture have left one visitor in a state of shock.
A Posh Greggs Experience
The Golden Flake, the first-ever pub from the beloved chain, has opened inside the Fenwicks department store in Newcastle city centre. This is not your typical Greggs; the interior boasts upmarket leather sofas and vintage rugs, creating a gastro-pub atmosphere. The menu, however, remains firmly rooted in Greggs classics, offering inventive twists like a sausage roll-based dish and a steak bake "Sunday roast".
YouTuber Ed Chapman visited the tavern and found the initial impressions to be positive. The presentation of the food was a notable highlight, with pub classics served in an elegant style. "It's the novelty really," Ed remarked. "The novelty factor of having a Greggs sausage roll in a restaurant or pub environment with some gravy and stuff on top."
The Staggering Bill Arrives
Where the experience took a dramatic turn was when the bill arrived. The core of the issue lies in the pricing, which starkly contrasts with the brand's high street image. While a standard sausage roll costs around £1.30 at a regular Greggs, the upscale version at The Golden Flake—served with mash and an artisan sage garnish—will set you back a steep £9.
Ed's choice of a "Pink Jammie Fizz" cocktail, decorated with a dusting of white powder to mimic a jam doughnut, proved to be the most expensive single item at £11.50. His reaction was one of pure astonishment: "I thought we were in Newcastle, not London," he said. "£11.50? Is that the going rate these days?"
Even a side of potato wedges added another £4.50 to the total, making the meal a far cry from the affordable snack Greggs is known for.
Does The Golden Flake Have a Future?
Ed Chapman was sceptical about the long-term prospects of the pub as a dining destination. He concluded that the concept is caught in a difficult middle ground. "It's not cheap enough to replace Wetherspoons and nor is it high quality enough to justify the prices," he stated.
He predicted that the venture is unlikely to attract regulars for a meal, suggesting its success might rely on alcohol sales. "That'll be where they make the money ... sell the food a little bit cheaper. Make the money on the booze." His final verdict was blunt: "I don't think it lasts. Just turn it into a boozer."
Despite the critique, Greggs remains optimistic. Hannah Squirrell, Customer Director at Greggs, commented on the launch: “Following the reaction and success of our previous collaborations with Fenwick... we’re thrilled to be launching our third landmark venture together. The Golden Flake Tavern brings a fresh twist to the traditional British pub experience, and we hope everyone... will come along to enjoy this unique Greggs experience.”
