Around 740 jobs could be impacted across sites including Kelso and Enfield.
Greggs has announced proposals to close its Pettigrews factory in Kelso as part of a manufacturing overhaul that could lead to around 740 job losses across the UK. The company stated that these proposals are subject to consultation, and no final decisions have been made.
The Scottish Borders site at Kelso is one of four factories earmarked for closure over the next two-and-a-half years. Greggs also plans to shut manufacturing operations at Enfield in Greater London, North Lakes near Penrith in Cumbria, and Seaham in County Durham. Distribution would continue at the Enfield site. The company has not specified how many of the jobs at risk are based in Kelso.
As part of the restructuring, Greggs also plans to reduce the range of products made at its Clydesmill site near Glasgow and at its Manchester site. The bakery chain confirmed that Greggs shops will not be affected by these proposals.
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The restructuring is expected to cost approximately £60 million, a figure which includes disruption costs and redundancy payments. Greggs anticipates that the changes will deliver savings of around £20 million across its 2028 and 2029 financial years.
The announcement coincided with Greggs reporting a 7.7% rise in retail sales for the three months to 26 September, compared with the same period last year. Like-for-like sales at company-managed shops increased by 3.4% during this period.
Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, expressed that the union was “deeply concerned” and that its immediate priority was workers, their families, and the communities affected. Kelso and district councillor Euan Robson described the announcement as a “bit of a shock,” adding that the factory had long been a valued part of the local community.
