Greggs revealed plans to shut several factories that would see the loss of around 740 jobs.

The iconic high street bakery chain said it is proposing to close four factories across the UK, including one in London.

Good news for sausage roll fans is that no retail bakeries are affected.

The closure of the affected manufacturing sites will be staggered over the next two-and-a-half years.

Which Greggs factories could close?

Greggs sites earmarked for potential closure include Enfield Greater London, North Lakes near Penrith, Cumbria, Pettigrews in Kelso, Scotland, and Seaham, County Durham.

While manufacturing could end at Enfield, it would continue to run as a distribution base.

Manufacturing could also be impacted at the Treforest, Wales, site, but it would continue to distribute baked goods.

The range of products made at the Clydesmill Glasgow and Manchester factories will be reduced, while the Gosforth site will no longer manufacture tinned bread, the proposal details.

However, Greggs insisted that ‘no final decisions have been made.’

Why is Greggs planning to close sites?

The firm said it wants to consolidate manufacturing operations, and it would source a small number of products from specialist suppliers.

The restructure is projected to cost Greggs around £60 million, including redundancy payments.

But over the 2028-29 financial years, the plan could save it roughly £20 million.

Greggs is set to start a consultation with affected workers and unions.

Chief executive Roisin Currie said: ‘To continue building a successful business for the future, we must keep evolving alongside changing customer expectations.’

She said the plans will ensure Greggs ‘remains a strong, sustainable business for decades to come.’

She said the proposals aim to strengthen the firm’s manufacturing network, boost efficiency and ensure it is well-placed to deliver ‘quality, value and service’ to customers.

How many sausage rolls does Greggs sell?

Despite challenges ranging from weather to changing food preferences, sausage rolls are not going anywhere.

Last year, Greggs is said to have sold 300 million meaty baked goodies.

You are likely to spot a Greggs in most cities, towns and service stations as it boasts 2,796 shops across the UK.

Greggs’ retail sales grew by 7.7% in the three months to September 26 compared to year-on-year, but it said the progress was in the face of ‘challenging market conditions.’

Greggs had a boost from new product launches and more settled weather in August and September following the record-breaking heatwaves this summer.

The firm employs around 33,000 people in the UK, most of them in the bakery stores.

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