The bakers opens its first late-night shop at Holmeside in Sunderland tomorrow when it will be serving up hot savouries and sandwiches from 9pm to 2am.

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Bosses decided on the new opening hours after listening to growing demands from customers who were wanting treats until the early hours of the morning.

Greggs fans were so keen to see the shop open later that they even set up dedicated social network groups on Facebook as part of a campaign to see the store open later.

Gillian Long, general manager of Greggs North East, said: "The late-night shop is something we have been considering for some time now.
"Customer demand for such a service, particularly in Sunderland, is what has driven our decision.

"We believe we can offer those enjoying Sunderland's bustling nightlife, be it the theatre, pubs and clubs or other leisure outlets, a tasty, fresh alternative to what is already available in the city."

Leanne Davison, store manager, added: "We will be offering a range of freshly baked savouries and hot and cold sandwiches freshly made in store, which we know will be hugely popular with late-night customers and at no extra cost to our daytime prices.

"We have appointed an enthusiastic team, who can't wait to open the doors at 9pm on Thursday."

Lisa Ovenden, a 20-year-old student at Sunderland University, said: "This is fantastic news.

"It has been rumoured for some time now but I was beginning to think it would never happen.

"Cheese pasties are my favourite and I know I won't be able to resist their smell."

The Holmeside shop will be open from 9pm to 2am every Thursday and from 9pm to 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.