Greggs issues 'ban' on customer habit that's infuriating staff

A Greggs branch says it won't serve customers if they do this one thing in store. One of the bakery chain's branches in Croydon, South London has said it will refuse customers who do not remove their headphones when they are served by Greggs staff.

One Greggs branch in South London says it would refuse service to customers who don't take out their headphones. In a notice in the South London Greggs reads: “When in queue, remove your headphone/AirPods and come off phones or we may have to refuse service.”

A staff member at the branch told The Sun : “We get more and more customers coming in who seem to be lost in another world. We try to be helpful and get everyone served quickly during busy times but it’s impossible if customers can’t hear a word you’re saying. The sign is pretty blunt but we have no option.”

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A source from Greggs said the crackdown was not a company wide policy but the chain did not officially comment on it. Another worker went on a rant online about customers’ treatment of Greggs staff.

They wrote: “Can people please stop talking on the phone when placing an order! It’s rude to workers because we have to wait until you stop. I have got to the point where I will just ask what we are required to. I do not care if it interrupts your call, I am not going to wait for you to finish when there are people behind you. Stop doing it.”

Greggs did not comment but a source at the firm yesterday said the headphone crackdown is not company policy. It comes days after one of the busiest Greggs branches in Birmingham has closed down suddenly, with shoppers directed to their next-closest bakery in New Street Station.

A sign placed in the window of the New Street store, next to the Simply Local off license near Victoria Square, apologised to customers while assuring the closure is only temporary.