Popular bakery chain Greggs has opened a new store in Belfast city centre today, creating 16 jobs.

The Newcastle upon Tyne-based chain has almost 2,500 outlets across the UK and the new store in CastleCourt Shopping Centre brings the number of Greggs in Northern Ireland to 18.

The shop will stock freshly prepared Greggs favourites, such as the sausage roll, steak bake and vegan alternatives, in addition to a range of over-ice drinks including cloudy lemonade and iced mocha, which are only available in limited shops across the UK.

With the festive season almost upon us, Greggs has launched its new Christmas menu including the festive bake, vegan festive bake with a new and improved recipe, Christmas lunch baguette and festive flatbread.

Greggs has also announced a host of new hot drinks including gingerbread latte (also available over ice) and gingerbread flat white, alongside a mint mocha and mint hot chocolate.

There is much more available in story for hungry Greggs fans.

CastleCourt’s Greggs store is open Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 6pm, Thursday from 8am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 6pm, and Sunday from12pm to 6pm.

Shop manager Gemma Hall said: “We can’t wait to welcome both Greggs fans and new customers to our brand-new shop.

“We’ve got an amazing range of iconic savouries, Fairtrade hot drinks, hot food and healthier choices available for takeaway, sit-in or Click + Collect.”

Gillian Long, retail operations director for Greggs, added: “Our new shop in Belfast has brought 16 new jobs to the local area, as well as providing customers with a modern, convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites.”

It comes as building work continues on Northern Ireland’s first Greggs drive-thru outlet.

Sausage roll and pasty fans will soon be able to grab their favourite snack on the go at the site in Craigavon’s Marlborough Retail Park, Co Armagh.

Planning permission for the drive-thru was approved in May by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Ground was broken beside the retail park’s Burger King restaurant in September, but it is not clear when the outlet will be open to the public.

Greggs announced a further expansion in Northern Ireland in August.

The chain is planning to open a new location on the Lisburn Road in Belfast, and submitted plans to take on the former Deanes and Decano site, which was formerly run by restaurateur Michael Deane.

It’s also taking on a unit on the ground floor of a new student accommodation scheme on York Street in the city, and one of the new food units being developed at Forestside Shopping Centre in south Belfast.