Greggs shops close across the UK as IT glitch causes payment issues

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Greggs stores across the UK were forced to close after technical issues prevented them from accepting payment.

A statement from the bakery chain said: “We are currently experiencing issues accepting payments in our shops.” It added: “We are working to resolve this as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson has since confirmed the issue has been resolved and the majority of shops affected are now able to take card and cash payments again. It is unclear how many stores were affected, while several outlets are open but only accepting cash payments.

It is the latest IT glitch to affect a major chain in recent days after Sainsbury’s and Tesco faced technical issues on Saturday.

Have you been affected by this issue? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

Last Friday, McDonald’s customers were also turned away from the fast food restaurants in locations across the world, including the UK, after the chain was similarly hit by IT problems.

Taking to social media, frustrated customers spoke of their disappointment at leaving empty-handed after their card payments were refused.

One posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Greggs this morning cash only! Sitting here with my coffee watching almost everyone have to walk out.”

Another tweeted: “Why are all of the stores in Newcastle city centre closed?”, while other closures were reported in Manchester, Cardiff and Westminster.

Another posted a photo of a sign on social media saying: “Shop will open late due to technical issues. You can order through click and collect or Uber Eats. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

One City of London shop taped a makeshift sign to its door, telling customers: “We currently have an issue with our tills which means we can’t take cash or card payments right now.”

The Ludgate Hill shop sign was headed: “Oh Crumbs!”

Poking fun at the situation, Iceland boss Richard Walker tweeted: “Roll up, (sausage) roll up: still available at Iceland!”.

The supermarket, which specialises in frozen products, sells a range of Greggs items, including steak bakes, vegan sausage rolls and bacon and cheese wraps.

Over the weekend, Sainsbury’s customers were left disgruntled after thousands were left without food orders after a software issue impacted contactless payments.

The technical glitch also affected its ability to fulfil the vast majority of online deliveries, while a number of Tesco deliveries also failed to reach their destination due to a technical glitch.

McDonald’s apologised to customers after they were left unable to order food in stores across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The company blamed the issue on a “technology outage” and stressed it was not linked to any cybersecurity issues.

In response to the catalogue of IT issues facing large UK chains, consumer expert Harry Wallop said on X: “Hmm. I am very much *not* a conspiracy theorist. But it seems a bit fishy that McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Tesco & now Greggs have had serious payment/IT issues within one week.”