Cooke & Arkwright
News
Greggs first at Swansea’s new £10m bus station
06/04/2011
Greggs has opened its first new shop in South Wales in 2011 in Swansea Bus Station, the city’s £10m central transport terminal which was officially opened in December 2010. The new terminal provides a bright and contemporary environment that is used by thousands of visitors to Swansea every week and is situated next to the Quadrant shopping centre.
“We are delighted to be opening our first South Wales new shop of the year in Swansea city centre,” said Raymond Reynolds, Greggs Retail Director. “It is our 83rd in South Wales and our first bus station shop in the region. The growth opportunities for Greggs remain significant, despite the challenges to retailers in the current economic climate.”
The Quadrant Centre occupies a prime position at the heart of Swansea city’s retail core, with a footfall average of 15m per annum over the last three years. The new terminal is expected to deliver significant additional footfall and recent high profile lettings have included retailers Pandora and Superdry.
Huw Thomas of Cooke & Arkwright, who acquired the premises on behalf of Greggs said, “The shop is situated on the main concourse of the bus station adjacent to the main entrance to the shopping centre. It is ideally placed to serve the busy commuters as they make their way to the main shopping areas or on their way to work.”
The opening of the shop has created 14 new retail jobs and two promotions, including shop manager Caron Whittington, who has been busy over the past few weeks putting the finishing touches to the staff training in time for the opening.
Sian Collins, Area Manager for Greggs, said that this was her sixth shop opening in twelve months. “I think this location is superb,” she said. “Thousands of people pass through this terminal every day and we are situated right next to the entrance to the shopping centre. We can offer shoppers and travellers fresh quality food at really great value prices.”
Mr Thomas added, “As agents for Greggs we acquired 11 new shops last year at locations including Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Ferndale, Tenby and Haverfordwest. We are looking for further suitable premises throughout South and West Wales and the Borders, in particular at non-traditional locations in retail and business parks, industrial estates, hospitals and transport hubs.”
Greggs recorded a pre-tax profit up 7.9% to £52.5m in the year ended 1 January 2011. Sales were up 2.1% and the net addition of 68 new shops brought the number of retail outlets to 1,480 across the UK.
Pictured, l to r: Huw Thomas, Cooke & Arkwright; Sian Collins and Caron Whittington, Greggs