Customers of bakery chain Greggs have been puzzled by the temporary closure of its Cornmarket Street branch.

Last month a sign went up on the door saying the branch, one of the biggest in the country, was closed due to 'technical issues'.

And the chain has so far declined to say when it will be reopening to serve up popular snacks including vegan sausage rolls.

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Its statement suggests the branch will not be reopening any time soon.

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A spokesman for Greggs said: "Our shop on Cornmarket closed on August 17 due to a technical issue being dealt with by Thames Water.

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"We hope to reopen the shop later this year.”

Staff working at Greggs in Headington would not discuss the temporary closure.

Thames Water has been approached for comment.

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In March 2020, shoppers celebrated the arrival of Greggs in the city centre by queuing up for sausage rolls, doughnuts, steak bakes and other favourite snacks.

The popular chain converted the former Moss Bros store near Carfax and with 66 seats upstairs it is one of the largest branches in the country.

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But it was only a couple of weeks before then Health Secretary Matt Hancock ordered lockdown one restrictions as the coronavirus pandemic took hold and the new bakery was forced to close its seated areas.

Regional manager Steve Russell said after the opening the bakery would operate seven days a week.

Mr Russell said in March 2020: “We are thrilled to be opening here in Cornmarket right in the heart of the city centre, with about 30 staff - some of them have been recruited locally.

“Customers have been trying to get in here all day but we have had to tell them to come back.

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“With 66 seats upstairs this will be one of the biggest Greggs in the country - there are only a handful this size.”

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Mr Russell said contractors tried to retain as many of the building’s original features and decorated the walls with pictures showing local scenes.

He added: “Oxford is a great tourist destination and we know we are guaranteed plenty of footfall here in Cornmarket - I’m sure it’s going to be very busy.

“The Westgate Centre is great but it’s Cornmarket that is the traditional centre."