Greggs Strand Bakery Closes Permanently, Leaving KCL Students Without Affordable Lunch Option

Introduction: The End of a Student Staple

Greggs’ branch at 143 Strand has permanently closed, leaving students on King’s College London’s Strand campus without one of their closest cheap lunch options. A sign on the shop door confirmed the permanent closure, reading: “Sorry, we’re closing on 5th January.” The closure marks a significant loss for thousands of students who relied on the bakery chain for affordable meals between lectures.

KCL students have expressed their disappointment that the store has closed, given its convenient location and affordability. The bakery’s prime position directly opposite the university campus made it a go-to destination for quick, budget-friendly food. The branch sits on the doorstep of Strand campus, directly on a route used by students travelling between classes and study spaces at the nearby Waterloo Campus, and had become a go-to stop for quick, low-cost food and coffee. For many students, Greggs was the dependable option for a quick five-minute bite to eat or coffee between back-to-back lectures.

Part of Broader Store Closures Across the UK

The Strand store is one of 56 Greggs stores that have closed their doors since 2025. However, this doesn’t signal a decline for the bakery giant. Greggs opened 87 new shops in the first half with 56 closures, including 27 relocations, resulting in 31 net openings over the period, growing the estate to 2,649 sites total.

Greggs has shut more than 50 stores in the first half of 2025 after reporting a “challenging start” to the year. The company attributed this to difficult market conditions, including reduced consumer confidence and adverse weather disruptions. Despite the closures, Greggs continues to expand its overall footprint across the UK.

What This Means for Students and the Local Community

The closure appears to have taken place quietly over the Christmas break, with the unit now cleared out inside. A worker at a neighbouring convenience store told Roar that the Greggs had closed permanently, saying he saw the store being emptied in the first few days of 2026. The timing meant many students only discovered the closure upon returning from the holiday break.

For budget-conscious students, the loss is particularly significant. Purchasing a sausage roll would only set you back just over a pound. However, it’s not all bad news though as for those who are willing to stretch their legs, the next nearest Greggs is a 10-minute walk away. Students will need to adjust their routines and seek alternative affordable food options near campus.

Conclusion: Looking Forward

The closure of the Greggs Strand bakery represents more than just the loss of a retail outlet—it’s the disappearance of an affordable, convenient option for thousands of students managing tight budgets. While the nearest alternative Greggs location is accessible, the extra distance may prove inconvenient for students rushing between classes. As Greggs continues its strategic realignment across the UK, opening new stores in high-footfall locations while closing underperforming sites, the company remains focused on long-term growth. For King’s College London students, however, the search for affordable lunch alternatives continues.