More than 220 people are at risk of redundancy at the Greggs factory in Manchester as part of a major restructuring of the bakery giant's manufacturing operations.
The high street bakery chain has announced plans to cut around 740 jobs in total over the next two-and-a-half years. Greggs also confirmed it will close four factories: Pettigrews in Kelso in the Borders, Enfield in Greater London, North Lakes near Penrith in Cumbria, and Seaham in County Durham.
Manchester site affected
The company will reduce the range of products made at its Manchester site and at its Clydesmill location near Glasgow, and halt the manufacture of tinned bread at Gosforth. The move will cost the firm around £60m but is expected to save it around £20m annually.
A spokesperson for the company has confirmed that 228 colleagues are at risk of redundancy at the Manchester site, which sits on Greenside Street in Openshaw.
Consultation to begin
Greggs has said the shake-up will save the company around £20 million across the 2028 and 2029 financial years. The firm said it will shortly start a consultation process with affected workers and their union representatives, and stressed that 'no final decisions have been made'.
Greggs employs around 33,000 people across the UK, with the vast majority of these in stores.
Union response
Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), said: “The BFAWU is deeply concerned by today’s announcement from Greggs, which places hundreds of workers and their livelihoods at risk as part of proposed changes to the company’s manufacturing network.
“Our immediate priority is our members, their jobs, their families and the communities that could be affected by these proposals. Greggs is clear in its own announcement that the business continues to perform strongly, that more customers are choosing Greggs than ever before, and that it is investing significantly to support further growth.”
