News of a first Greggs bakery opening in Derry has attracted a lot of attention.
As far as I’m aware, Derry is home to the ‘sausage roll bap’ so any business moving in better have flaky pastry that is up to scratch.
It will be opening in Foyleside Shopping Centre which is undergoing a bit of a revamp at the moment under new ownership.
“The sausage roll is out of the bag!” Foyleside announced. “Get ready to welcome the iconic brand and finally get your hands on the sausage rolls, bakes, and pastries you’ve been dreaming of for years!”
An individual known as ‘Jimjam’ seems to have been central to Greggs’ decision to open a north west store.
Jimjam sent an impassioned plea: “To Mr Greggs, hello pal I’ve been meaning to send this message for a few years now, why the actual fook does my town (Derry, Ireland) not have a Greggs??
“We’re all pastry lovers and I’m sure a store would prosper here. I’ve had enough of travelling 2 hours for a sausage roll, get it sorted Gregg…”
Not everyone agrees with Jimjam, with plenty pointing to Derry’s long-established and much-loved local bakeries.
“Doherty’s buns and sausage rolls are cheaper, fresher and tastier!” one person said.
Let it be a warning to Greggs, big names don’t always oust the locals.
There was a Mexican standoff when Boojum moved in on Guapo’s patch along the Strand Road.
Customers voted with their feet and decided where to spend their hard-earned cash.
Only one Sombrero-wearing eatery was left standing on the Strand Road – the Derry outfit.
Tillie & Henderson site revival
Movement in terms of regenerating the old Tillie & Henderson shirt factory site is positive news for the city.
The Tillie & Henderson factory merited a mention in Karl Marx’s Das Kapital, as part of a discussion on the factory system.
The building, which was erected in 1856, was seen by many as a symbol of Derry’s textile industry, which dominated employment in the city for almost 140 years.
It was demolished in 2003 after a fire.
Ark Housing has now said the long vacant site at Carlisle Circus will soon be revitalised as a 131 unit Housing for All scheme.
BBC man to launch memoir
Veteran broadcaster and musician Colum Arbuckle is to launch his new memoir later this Spring.
The BBC man, 77, who played in 70s rock band Toejam with his lifelong friend Gerry Anderson, has penned Radio, Romance and Rock’n’Roll to mark his 60 years in the business.
It will be launched at this year’s City of Derry Jazz Festival in May.
TV presenter Joe Mahon, who hired Colum for his first programme in Radio Foyle, has written the preface.
Arbuckle has worked as a BBC Radio Foyle and Ulster producer for more than 40 years. He previously toured America with a number of rock bands.
Radio, Romance and Rock’n’Roll is published by Colmcille Press.