Greggs becomes the latest retailer to charge customers 5p for paper bags
GREGGS has become the latest retailer to charge customers 5p for paper bags.
Angry punters have condemned the change — pointing out that they are of poor quality and the government levy applies only to plastic ones, which the bakery chain has phased out.
Customer Paul Brooks said: “The bags are cheap rubbish and no one should be charging for paper bags!”
And Scott Winchester tweeted: “I know it’s only 5p but imagine how many people have been charged. In a nutshell, you’re taking the proverbial.”
Greggs said the profits go to its Greggs Foundation charity, which supports good causes in local communities.
Another customer, Adam Grimes, 28, of Great Barford, Beds, said: “It’s great that they donate the charge to good causes but it would be nice if customers had the choice over whether to pay.
“It’s not legally compulsory so they shouldn’t act like it is.”
Rival chains Pret and Costa Coffee do not charge for their paper carriers. But other types of retailers have also set a fee even though they do not have to.
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OTHER SHOPS THAT CHARGE
- Fashion brand H&M charge 5p
- The Body Shop charge 5p
- Boots charge 5p, 7p, & 10p
- Morrisons charge 25p
H&M and The Body Shop charge 5p, and Boots 5p, 7p or 10p depending on the size. Morrisons recently increased the cost of its paper bags to 25p, as revealed by The Sun.
Retailers with 250 or more full-time equivalent employees have to charge a minimum of 5p for plastic bags in stores and for deliveries, but smaller shops and paper bags are not included.
Last month, The Sun told how Greggs was ridiculed for halving the size of its custard slices to help Brits eat less sugar — while keeping the price at £1.
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