Member Article

The politics of pasties: Should there be toilets in Greggs?

Since the dawn of mankind, human beings have held an unrelenting fascination with life’s ‘big’ questions. Why are we here? Is there a God? What is the meaning of life?

Should there be toilets in Greggs, although topical, doesn’t quite fall into such a category. In fact in passing, you might (probably rightly) think - who cares?

My intention, rather, is to draw your attention to a current event which actually has a bit more to it than first meets the eye. Plus, the current big question surrounding us - The EU debate - is quite frankly weighing me down. I don’t know about you but I certainly need a break from Tory rhetoric and public squabbles. Pasties are far easier to digest, trust me.

Plus, c’mon people, this is Greggs we’re talking about. A steak bake is as much a part of Newcastle’s culture as Wor Al, The Monument or the guy who’s had a little too much to drink on the Quayside at 7 o’clock on a friday - a.m., of course.

What’s going on

The region’s, and arguably the nation’s, favourite food takeaway may soon have to install toilets to its premises containing customer seating.

Hull City Council is arguing that if food and drink is being consumed on the chain’s premises then it should also provide facilities for customers.

However Newcastle City Council, defenders of the realm, are opposing the move in a debate which has actually raged for some time.

In the past the bakery has won rulings meaning it does not have to invest millions of pounds on installing such sanitary solutions, yet although the debate is far from being flushed away (sorry).

As reported on the BBC today, an appeal has been lodged for action to be taken.

To flush or not to flush, that is the question

Earlier this year we reported that Greggs actually boasts 1,700 retail outlets throughout the country. Of course, seating is not provided in every single outlet although should Greggs have to install such provisions the cost implications would be huge.

I, for one, would rather see Greggs invest it’s dough (sorry, I really can’t help myself) in product development or in growing a Newcastle-based business even further afield. Plus, by its nature, yes there might be outlets with seats in them but the company is an on-the-go retailer.

The business wants to be a takeaway, proposed changes are in my opinion wholly unnecessary. That being said, Hull Council’s argument is interesting and shouldn’t be ignored. The council is, of course, not bringing this up for argument’s sake.

Rather, it believes that two Greggs outlets based in Hull have an unfair commercial advantage over competitors. You could of course argue the council is merely doing its duty to level the playing field.

Maybe I’m biased, maybe I’m wrong, maybe the idea of toilets in Greggs isn’t as mind-blowingly crazy as you might first think…

Anyway, at a time when the EU Referendum and its media portrayal seems to have us all at our wit’s end, maybe the politics of pasties is a welcome distraction.