Greggs to Close Four Manufacturing Sites, Eliminating 740 Jobs
The bakery chain plans to streamline operations over the next two and a half years.
High street bakery chain Greggs has announced plans to close four manufacturing sites, a move expected to result in the loss of approximately 740 jobs within the next two-and-a-half years. The company stated that distribution operations at its Enfield site will remain unaffected.
The affected manufacturing facilities are located in Enfield, North Lakes, Pettigrews, and Seaham. Greggs intends to relocate some manufacturing and packing activities to other sites as part of the restructuring. Additionally, tinned bread will no longer be produced at the Gosforth facility, and the range of products manufactured at Clydesmill and Manchester will be reduced, although manufacturing will continue at both locations.
Roisin Currie, Chief Executive at Greggs, commented that the proposed changes are designed to strengthen the company's manufacturing network, improve efficiency, and ensure its future sustainability. "Greggs is a strong and growing business, and we continue to invest significantly in our future," Currie stated. "To continue building a successful business for the future, we must keep evolving alongside changing customer expectations. We want to ensure Greggs remains a strong, sustainable business for decades to come."
If these proposals are implemented, Greggs would consolidate its manufacturing operations across six sites: Clydesmill, Gosforth, Balliol, Leeds, Manchester, and Derby. The company emphasized that its retail shop network would not be impacted by these changes. The proposed restructuring follows a comprehensive review of the company's manufacturing network.