Parking chaos is predicted to hit a high street when a town's first Greggs bakery opens later this week.

Customers will be able to visit the pastry giant in New Romney from Thursday after bosses filled an empty site next to an Esso petrol station.

But residents are concerned the arrival of the national chain will cause congestion in the road.

New Romney mayor Paul Thomas says he does not know where customers are going to leave their cars at the site, which will become the first Greggs on Romney Marsh.

"Goodness knows where people are going to park when the shop opens - it will be a nightmare," he said.

"New Romney Town Council was not consulted on the planning application for the new Greggs, which was very unusual.

"My concern is that customer parking is not adequately addressed in the planning application, as it merely says that people can park across the road in a layby.

"If nuisance parking becomes an issue for local residents, we will raise this with the planning department and parking enforcement at Folkestone and Hythe District Council.

"It is a joint venture between MFG [Motor Fuel Group, the owners of the Esso petrol station] and Greggs, so I’m sure that MFG won’t mind if customers park on their forecourt.

"On a positive note, the new Greggs will provide employment opportunities for local people which will be most welcome and I hope it does not have a detrimental effect on the existing high street food businesses."

Last month, business owners said residents in New Romney "like their local shops and cafes" – and may not support the pastry giant.

Some pointed out that sandwich franchise Subway didn't last long in the town, closing after just two years in 2011.

The manager at The Coach House, a Mediterranean-inspired cafe in Church Close, told KentOnline she is unsure whether Greggs will suit the Marsh.

"New Romney is a small town - I think it will be popular for a minute but then dip," she said.

"It might be okay because it is at the petrol station, but Subway came here before and didn't last long.

"People like their local shops and cafes here."

Lynn Light, of New Romney Pet Shop, says her colleague is very excited for Greggs to open, but she is unsure the location is right.

"We're happy about it and more jobs is always a good thing," she said.

"I think once people know it is here, they may be tempted back more often.

"The only thing that concerns me is that it is a bit far out of the high street – I'm wondering what it will do with the traffic and the garage."

Meanwhile, Tina Newman and Louise Douglass, from That Pet Shop, believe the bakery's arrival is welcome news.

"It will be creating lots of jobs," they said.

"Anything that brings more jobs to the high street is a good thing."

MFG was contacted for comment over parking concerns at the site.