Greggs to Close Four UK Factories, Risking Up to 740 Jobs

Greggs has announced plans to close four of its factories in the United Kingdom, a move the bakery chain says could result in up to 740 job losses over the next two and a half years.

The company said the closures were necessary to support growth in the "most cost-efficient manner," and confirmed it is currently consulting on the proposed changes with affected staff, as required before any final decisions are implemented.

According to Greggs, the closures would initially cost around £60 million, a figure that includes both disruption costs associated with winding down operations at the affected sites and redundancy payments to employees who lose their jobs.

Despite the upfront costs, the company said the move is expected to generate savings of approximately £20 million per year by 2028, as production is consolidated into a smaller number of more efficient facilities.

The potential job losses would be phased in over roughly two and a half years rather than occurring all at once, giving affected employees and the company time to manage the transition, according to the announcement.

Greggs has grown significantly in recent years, expanding its footprint of bakery shops across the UK, and the restructuring of its factory network appears aimed at aligning production capacity with the company's broader operational strategy.

The consultation process with staff at the four factories is ongoing, and further details about the specific locations affected, the timeline for closures, and support offered to displaced workers are expected to be clarified as the process continues.

Unions and employee representatives are likely to engage with Greggs during the consultation period as the company finalizes its plans for the affected facilities.