WORK has begun on the construction of Hampshire's first drive-thru Greggs.

Girders have gone up in the Homebase car park in Winchester's Winnall estate, where the bakery will join a plethora of other traders, including Costa Coffee, Pets at Home and Toolstation.

When it is finished, the drive-thru will be one of just 14 Greggs of its kind across the country, according to the Swindon Advertiser.

The news comes a few months after the closure of the Winchester Halfords, a stalwart in Winnall for decades, whose sudden departure shocked customers.

READ MORE: Winchester could be getting its first Greggs drive-through

The site of the future Greggs drive-through (Image: Sebastian Haw) The planning application for the drive-thru site, submitted in January last year, includes a bike shed, disabled parking space and a patio with outdoor seating.

It was approved despite objections, which included one from public health at Hampshire County Council, which objected to the plans as they feared it would encourage obesity in Winchester residents. 

It said: "The proposed development discourages physical activity (by its nature, being a drive-thru facility) and evidence suggests it can contribute to the rising and already high levels of overweight and obesity in Winchester."

Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Ltd, the current freehold owner of the Homebase unit who submitted the application, proposed to cut the number of parking spaces from 196 to 152 to accommodate the drive-thru.

The bakery will be able to seat 36 customers and be open from 5.30am-11pm every day. It is expected to create around 20 jobs, including two full-time and 18 part-time positions.

The planning statement also proposed that the existing footway be extended to a new zebra crossing “with tactile paving at the end of the drive-thru lane” in addition to a new pedestrian route through the car park from Homebase to Greggs.

Construction on the Greggs site comes amidst fears of the closure of Homebase.

It was announced on Wednesday, November 13, that Homebase has been sold to retail group CDS in a rescue deal to secure up to 1,600 jobs and 70 stores but leaving the future of its remaining 2,000 workers and 49 shops unclear – including the branch in Winnall.

The DIY retailer appointed administrators at consultancy Teneo on Wednesday before CDS, which owns The Range homeware outlets, bought the majority of its stores out of administration.

Several Winchester residents have expressed shock at the news of the possible closure.

SEE ALSO: Winchester Homebase at risk as company enters administration

Les Hunter said: “We seem to be losing everything. Are they not just going to build something on (the site)?

“They have lost Curry’s and Halfords, and now we are losing Homebase.

“I’m not a frequent customer, but I do use it about twice a month. I’m probably going in on Saturday to settle the bills!”

The Chronicle has contacted Greggs for comment.