The food-to-go specialist fell to a pre-tax loss of £65m during the 26 weeks to June 27, compared with a £37m profit the previous year. 

Sales dropped 45% to £301m across the six-month period, as like for likes halved in Greggs’ company-managed shops.

However, the business said it had been “encouraged” by trading patterns since it started reopening stores with social distancing measures in place.