Greggs to close four factories, cutting about 740 jobs

The bakery chain will shut sites in Kelso, Enfield, Cumbria and County Durham over the next 2½ years.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:22:29 GMT

Greggs said it will close four manufacturing sites in the United Kingdom, a move that will eliminate roughly 740 jobs over the next two-and-a-half years, according to statements to the Press Association.

What happened

The closures include the Pettigrews plant in Kelso, Scottish Borders; a site in Enfield, Greater London; the North Lakes facility near Penrith in Cumbria; and a plant in Seaham, County Durham. Greggs also announced it will scale back production at its Clydesmill bakery near Glasgow and at its Manchester site, and will cease making tinned bread at its Gosforth factory.

What the reports add

The Independent and the Evening Standard both note that the Pettigrews factory has been operating since 1968 and likely employs fewer than 100 people, though the exact figure was not disclosed.
Greggs said the restructuring will cost about £60 million, including disruption costs and redundancy payments, but will save roughly £20 million across the 2028 and 2029 financial years.
The company will soon begin 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, the vast majority in its stores.

What was said

“Greggs is a very good business and apparently doing well, but it will be a sad day if the factory does close because it’s been here for a very long time. It’s been a very valued business in the local community; it employs quite a number of people, and thoughts today are really with them because it’s an uncertain future.” – Euan Robson, Kelso and district councillor, speaking to the Press Association (Independent, 30 Sept 2026)

“It’s not a big factory compared to some units around here, but it does employ a considerable number of folk for a small town and community like we have in the rural Borders, so any job loss is to be regretted, and a factory closure such as this has an impact on the local economy.” – Euan Robson, continuing his remarks (Standard, 30 Sept 2026)

“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.” – Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, quoted in both outlets.

“SBC has employability services available for anyone requiring support, these can be accessed through our website.” – spokeswoman for Scottish Borders Council (Independent, 30 Sept 2026)

How it came about

Greggs framed the closures as part of a broader overhaul of its food manufacturing operations, aiming to streamline production and focus on core product lines. The company said the plan will be rolled out over the next two-and-a-half years and that it will start consultations with staff and unions shortly. Earlier this month, Felo News reported on Greggs’ previous expansion of its bakery network, providing context for the scale of the current restructuring.