Greggs opening in Cornmarket Street Oxford

The company said earlier this year that it would open a new branch in Cornmarket Street but it did not say where.

Now it can be revealed that it is to open in the former Moss Bros store close to Carfax - at a date to be fixed.

Regarding the opening date, a spokesman said: "There is no update to timings at this date."

The large retail unit has been closed since the men’s fashion chain switched to the Westgate Centre.

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The clamour for vegan - and meat - sausage rolls will soon be satisfied, once alterations have been made to the retail unit, with new signs put up.

The company, which has submitted a planning application to the city council to alter the shop front, has been advertising for staff to work at the new outlet.

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The application said: “The front area of the ground floor is to be used for retail sales while the remainder of the building will be used for preparation and staff room.

A spokesman for Greggs said in September: “We will be opening a new shop on Cornmarket and will have more information about exactly when in the near future.”

A job advert for the shop in OX1 said: “We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to become part of the team at our brand new store in Oxford city centre.

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“Our typical contracts are 16 hours per week, 4 x 4 hour shifts but we are open to applications no matter what your flexibility/availability.

“From 4-25 hours per week on permanent contract, whether you are an early bird or late owl, there are many shifts available between the opening hours of 4am and 10pm, this can all be discussed at interview stage.”

The chain already runs branches in London Road, Headington and in Templars Square, Cowley.

Greggs started out in Gosforth, Newcastle, 75 years ago and has been growing ever since.

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There are now more than 1,700 shops nationwide including two in Abingdon - one in the Bury Street precinct and one at the Spar, part of the Esso garage in Marcham Road.

Greggs employs 20,000 staff nationwide and says it is still growing.

Earlier this year the firm expected pre-tax profits for the full 2018 financial year to be at least £88m, as sales over the 52 weeks to December 29 rose 7.2 per cent, driven by growth in newer categories such as breakfast and vegan-friendly food as well as classic bakes.

According to the Oxford Student, an Oxford University student newspaper, some undergraduates are excited by the prospect of Greggs opening in the city centre.

And one member of staff at a shop working opposite the former Moss Bros store said he was looking forward to Greggs’ arrival as it would give him more choice when buying hot snacks.

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The application said new signs and any changes would be in keeping with the central (university and city) conservation area.