High street bakery chain Greggs has announced it will cut 740 jobs by closing four of its manufacturing sites in the in the next two-and-a-half years.

The move is expected to cost around £60million, including disruption and redundancy payments – but the firm plans to save around £20million across the 2028 and 2029 financial years. 

The planned closures will be at manufacturing sites in Enfield, North Lakes, Pettigrews and Seaham, the company said, with distribution operations at Enfield remaining unchanged. 

The popular budget bakery said they would be relocating some manufacturing and packing activities between sites. 

Other changes include tinned bread no longer being manufactured at Gosforth, while the range of products manufactured at Clydesmill and Manchester will be reduced, with manufacturing operations, however, continuing at both the sites. 

The proposals will also impact manufacturing operations at its Treforest site in Wales, but this will continue as a distribution centre for business.  

Roisin Currie, chief executive at Greggs, said: ‘Greggs is a strong and growing business, and we continue to invest significantly in our future. 

Greggs announced this morning that they would be closing four manufacturing sites – costing 740 jobs 

‘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.’ 

If the proposed changes are implemented, Greggs would streamline its manufacturing operations across six sites – Clydesmill, Gosforth, Balliol, Leeds, Manchester and Derby. 

The company said its retail shop estate would be unaffected by the proposed changes. It `said the proposed changes came after a ‘comprehensive review’ of its manufacturing network. 

Greggs had expanded over recent years, increasing the number of shops from 2,181 in 2021 to 2,796 this year. The company employs 33,000 workers. 

Sales also grew by 7.7 per cent in the three months to September 26, compared with the same period a year earlier. 

Trading improved across the quarter as it benefited from product launches and ‘more settled weather’ in August and September. 

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.