Pasty wars in Cornwall as Greggs opens next to independent shop

National bakery chain is urged to ‘leave pasties to the experts’

(Getty Images)

A Cornish butcher shop says it is “up for the fight” after High Street chain Greggs announced plans for a second store in Cornwall, heating up a battle over hot pies in the global home of pasty-making.

Eyebrows were raised when the takeaway behemoth opened its first Cornish store in 2018, bringing its familiar range of sausage rolls and steak bakes to a county famous worldwide for pasties.

But the venture, in the border town of Saltash, closed after just seven months as was dubbed “Satan’s Franchise” according to Cornwall Live.

Now the chain is to open a new store in Launceston, right next door to Philip Warren Butchers, which sells traditional pasties.

Owner, Ian Warren, said: "Competition is healthy and consumers should always have different choices, but I’m confident our loyal customer network of over 100 years will continue to support us."

Many locals are not happy with the new addition to the town, with one resident commenting on Facebook that the Greggs’ version of the Cornish delicacy are an “abomination” and “muck."

Barbara Ayres wrote on Facebook that Greggs should “stick with what you’re good at and leave the pasties to the experts”. 

The new Greggs has brought 10 new jobs to the area.