Greggs is making a return trip to luxury retailer Fenwick to launch its own champagne bar.
The two firms created a stir in Newcastle last year, when the two major North East employers came together to open Bistro Greggs, a silver service restaurant, serving sausage rolls and steak bakes under silver cloches by waiters in aprons and traditional white shirts and ties. Bistro Greggs welcomed over 8,000 covers within the one-month period, prompting hopes it could make a return.
Now the companies have announced a new collaboration - pairing Greggs’ bakes and rolls with a selection of the finest Champagnes in a concept that promises to be the city’s hottest ticket in the lead up to Christmas.
Leo Fenwick, strategic partnerships director at Fenwick, said: “After the phenomenal success of last year’s Bistro Greggs at Fenwick, we are proud to once again partner with the fellow North East icon, Greggs, to launch Greggs Champagne Bar at Fenwick offering a fun, one of a kind costumer experience. This pop-up enhances our growing restaurant offer which continues to evolve through unexpected collaborations and new concepts bringing customers a truly memorable in-store dining experience."
The new Greggs Champagne Bar at Fenwick will launch on October 24 and run until December 31, based in Fenwick’s Food Hall on a reservation-only basis. The menu has been created by Fenwick executive head chef Mark Reid in collaboration with Greggs, and includes steak bakes served with a peppercorn aioli; sausage, bean and cheese melts paired with Bloody Mary ketchup, and sausage rolls revamped with hot honey chilli sauce.
Champagnes to wash them down with include Bollinger Rosé and Laurent Perrier and Louis Roederer Cristal available at £75 per glass, or £425 by the bottle. The design of The Greggs Champagne Bar at Fenwick pays homage to the Belle Epoque era, seating 16 customers around a curved bar. Guests will also be able to ring vintage, crystal bells for top-ups.
Hannah Squirrell, customer director at Greggs, said: “Whilst Champagne and Greggs might not be the most immediate food and drink pairing, following the success and reaction to our Greggs Bistro last year, we’re excited for the launch of the Greggs Champagne Bar at Fenwick. Hopefully everyone who visited us last year, and many more, will enjoy the fun and unique experience that’s been created and discover that a chilled glass of Champagne accompanied by a Sausage Roll will be the hottest ticket in Toon for 2024.”
Greggs has made a name for itself in recent years with a series of eye-catching marketing stunts, including setting up at an artisan food fair under the name Gregory and Gregory to fool foodies into sampling its wares. Last month it launched a jewellery line in partnership with artist Dion Kitson.
The bar will be open daily from 11.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday (excluding Thursdays), to 7pm on Thursdays and to 4pm on Sundays.
