Late night Greggs in Leicester Square

Greggs in Leicester Square is set to open until 2am at the weekends after reaching an agreement with the council.

The bakery chain had wanted to be open 24 hours a day, but will now open late on Thursday to Saturday night to sell hot drinks and sausage rolls and pasties. It won't however be allowed to sell items off it's hot food menu.

It will have to employ bouncers on the door, install CCTV and clear up any litter.

Councillor Aicha Less, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said:

"Greggs had originally applied for a licence in Leicester Square to sell hot food and hot drinks for 24 hours, Mondays to Sundays.

"This was refused by Westminster's licensing sub-committee and Greggs appealed that decision.

"Based on the merits of this case, Westminster have come to an agreement with Greggs that works for everyone."

The branch can sell hot drinks and food that is baked elsewhere and reheated in stores, such as sausage rolls and pasties but it will be banned from selling items on its hot food menu after 11pm.

The agreement means it can stay open until midnight on Sunday to Wednesday, and until 2am on Thursday to Saturday.

"We are pleased to continue to support local businesses and look forward to working with the company going forward," the council added.

Greggs' chief executive Roisin Currie told the Evening Standard it had reached a compromise with the council, and was working on what it can sell later into the evening.

"It's very positive and we've worked well together," she said.

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