Earlier this month, Betfred, the “off track betting shop” at 43 Cinque Ports Street in Rye, closed its doors for good. In the window two posters confirmed that if anyone wanted to visit their nearest alternative and have a flutter you could still chance your luck by visiting them at 21 Sedlescombe Road, St Leonards, Hastings, TN37 7DA.
Shortly after closure an additional notice appeared in the window announcing that Greggs, the national chain of bakery shops with over 2,000 outlets across the UK were “coming soon”. As you can imagine this started the rumour mill off at full tilt and prompted quite a reaction with a wide cross section of views, comments and opinions.
“It will be the death knell for Rye and open the floodgates for more national chains,” said one comment. “Just what this town needs,” said another. “I didn’t see any planning application, did you?” said another and “Better to have any business there rather than an empty town centre shop,” was another comment.
But, something didn’t look right and now the poster has been removed. The photo below really spells it out and for those who didn’t get the chance to look carefully. The “coming soon” poster was put together on a home computer, printed off then Sellotaped to the outside of the window in a clear plastic wallet, not quite the standard of marketing expected of a national multiple branch network.
Rye News has been contacted by a reader about the proposed opening and asked to verify the facts. We contacted Greggs customer services and property departments, and the agents acting for Greggs emailed the following in response: “We have spoken to Greggs and the company has confirmed there are no plans to open a shop at this particular site.”
We now know that we won’t be seeing Greggs in Cinque Ports Street anytime soon, it’s a classic case of fake news. Shame it’s not April Fools Day, this story would have worked and Donald Trump would have been proud.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .