News
Greggs stores across UK closed due to technical issue, affecting morning trade
CUSTOMERS looking to start their day with coffee and breakfast from Greggs were left disappointed as stores across the country remained shut. The popular bakery chain experienced widespread closures due to a technical glitch that prevented shops from accepting payments. The issue was first reported by customers on social media, who found their local stores closed unexpectedly.
In Newcastle, a city known for its numerous Greggs outlets, all stores were reported to be closed. One regular customer expressed their frustration, saying, “I can’t believe it – I have one every morning but not today.” Despite the closures, Greggs has been attempting to maintain service through delivery options where possible. Some stores have placed signs in their windows, indicating that they will remain closed until the payment issue is resolved.
A spokesperson for Greggs confirmed the problem, stating, “We are currently experiencing issues accepting payments in our shops. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible.” The exact number of affected stores is not clear, but reports suggest that some locations are still operating normally.
This incident adds to a series of recent technical problems that have hit some of the UK’s biggest food retailers. Sainsbury’s experienced difficulties with online grocery deliveries and contactless payments in stores last Saturday due to an overnight software update. Tesco and McDonald’s have also faced unrelated technical issues, affecting orders and service.
As the situation develops, Greggs has promised to provide updates. Customers are advised to check social media and local store notices for the latest information.
GREGGS customers across the UK, including in Pembrokeshire, found themselves bereft of their morning sustenance as a slew of the beloved bakery’s outlets failed to open their doors today.
The high street staple, renowned for its piping hot coffee and hearty breakfast offerings, has left customers bewildered and disappointed, sparking an immediate flurry of concern on social media platforms.
Eyewitness accounts and digital laments tell a similar tale of confusion and caffeine-deprived frustration.
Many loyal patrons, accustomed to kickstarting their day with a visit to their local Greggs, were greeted instead by closed shutters and apology-laden notices.
The sudden closure has been attributed to a pervasive technical glitch affecting the chain’s ability to process payments, casting a shadow over morning routines nationwide.
The epicentre of this unexpected shutdown appears to be Newcastle, a city synonymous with the Greggs brand, where all outlets have reportedly ceased operation for the day. One disconsolate customer shared their dismay, “I can’t believe it – I have one every morning but not today.” Despite the inconvenience, some customers are exploring alternative avenues to obtain their Greggs fix, with delivery services reportedly still in operation.
Storefronts across the affected areas have been hastily adorned with signs informing customers of the temporary closure, assuring that efforts are underway to rectify the issue posthaste. A spokesperson for Greggs has publicly acknowledged the predicament, stating, “We are currently experiencing issues accepting payments in our shops. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible.”
As this story develops, the exact scale of the disruption remains unclear. Reports indicate that while many branches are impacted by the payment processing debacle, a select few are continuing to operate as usual. This latest hiccup for Greggs adds to a growing list of technical failures that have plagued some of the UK’s most prominent food and retail brands in recent times.
Only days prior, Sainsbury’s was compelled to announce that a significant portion of its online grocery delivery services had been halted due to complications arising from an overnight software update—a malaise that also affected in-store contactless transactions. Similarly, Tesco and McDonald’s have found themselves wrestling with their own unrelated technological quandaries, leading to service interruptions and customer inconvenience.
As the Greggs saga unfolds, loyal customers and casual patrons alike are left to navigate the inconvenience and hope for a swift resolution. With the promise of updates on the horizon, the nation waits eagerly for the return of its beloved bakery operations, and with it, the restoration of a cherished morning ritual.
Crime
Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest
HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.
Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.
News
Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod
Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.
The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives. None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.
But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.
With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.
Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar. She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage. As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.
The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.
Crime
Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl
THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.
An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.
James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.
The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.
Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.
He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.
The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.
Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.
The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.
Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.
Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.
He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.
She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.
“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.
“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”
Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.
He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.
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