Like most towns, Crayford has had new shops opening and closing over the last few years, most recently including businesses based at the Tower Retail Park in Crayford's town center. However, the new food-based attractions seem to be eliciting mixed reactions.
The first is an outpost of the American fast-food chain Taco Bell, which had its grand opening back in December 2021. The opening seemed to be a success, with busy crowds the entire day and Taco Bell even giving out free tee-shirts to the early customers. It took the place of GAME which closed in 2020 as a part of Taco Bell embarking on an expansion to over 200 branches across the country. However, opinions seem to have changed after the opening.
Some online state that GAME "should've been replaced with an actual shop", as there are "so many restaurants and fast food places" in Crayford.
The other store to debut in the Retail Park was a popular British cafe chain, Greggs. It took the place of the old Carphone Warehouse store and was just a relocation from Crayford Road. Despite it just being a change of location, excitement levels were not lowered. The larger facility promised to offer a seated area and a wider range of food options to choose from- and it did just that on its opening day on January 28th.
Despite the fact it is also a food establishment, Greggs seems to have received a more favorable public opinion than Taco Bell.
"I think it's much more spacious, and the food is lovely as ever," Christine Smith said when I asked what she thought of it. There don't appear to be any issues here!
So, are consumers dissatisfied with more food alternatives, or are they simply hesitant to try new ones?
