Fears over Brimsdown job losses as Greggs announces factory closure

As many as 200 jobs could be at risk from the factory’s shutdown

Greggs' Enfield Bakery site in Millmarsh Lane, Brimsdown — Greggs’ Enfield Bakery site in Millmarsh Lane, Brimsdown

A major manufacturing site in Brimsdown has been earmarked for closure, it’s been announced today (Wednesday 30th).

The Greggs bakery site in Millmarsh Lane is one of four factories across the UK that the popular high street chain – famed for its sausage rolls – is proposing to close, with a total loss of 740 jobs.

The other sites affected by the closure plans are in Cumbria, Scotland and County Durham. If these closures go ahead, it would leave Greggs with six factories in total, at Clydesmill, Gosforth, Balliol, Leeds, Manchester and Derby.

While the exact number of people employed at the Brimsdown site are unknown and Greggs has not responded to questions from the Dispatch today, based on the total figure across the four affected factories, it could mean as many as 200 local staff are facing redundancy.

However, Greggs does also have another site in Brimsdown, a distribution hub in Brancroft Way, which will be remaining open and could potentially be used to relocate some staff.

In today’s corporate statement, Greggs made clear there would be a consultation process with affected colleagues and their union representatives launching shortly, and that no final decisions have been made.

Commenting on the proposal, Roisin Currie, Greggs’ chief executive said: “Greggs is a strong and growing business, and we continue to invest significantly in our future. 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.

“Greggs manufacturing and logistics network remains a key strength of the business, and these proposals are intended to strengthen our manufacturing network, improve efficiency and ensure we remain well placed for the future while continuing to deliver the quality, value and service our customers expect.”

No Greggs shops are affected by the proposals announced today.

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