Greggs has withdrawn its plans to take over a former town centre bank, just weeks after applying to convert the site.

The bakery giant launched a bid to convert the closed Barclays branch on the corner of Sandgate Road and West Terrace in Folkestone last month.

But now, a notice of withdrawal, published on Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning portal, states: “The above application was withdrawn from the statutory register on June 3, 2025, at the request of the applicant.”

The bakery chain had hoped to open in the heart of the town centre, directly opposite the former Debenhams department store and only metres away from McDonald’s.

The proposed shop would have been the first Greggs in Folkestone’s town centre.

Despite multiple approaches by KentOnline for comment, Greggs has not responded to questions about why the application was pulled.

The plans, initially submitted on May 20, outlined a vision to transform the 308 sq m building.

No objections or comments from the public had been lodged before the withdrawal.

At the time of the application, the company had assured the council that its presence would not “have any adverse impact” on the existing appearance or amenity of the site or the surrounding area.

The chain opened a branch within the Shell garage in Cheriton in June 2023. Free jam doughnuts were given to the first 100 customers that day.

Greggs has three branches in neighbouring Dover - at the town centre precinct, the St James’ Retail and Leisure Park and an A20 petrol station at Limekiln Street.

An application to replace the NatWest Bank in Deal precinct with a Greggs was rejected by Dover District Council because of fears of the effect on the conservation area there.

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Barclays in Sandgate Road, Folkestone, closed on June 23, 2023.