Greggs looks to mitigate job loss impact

Greggs will look to do everything it can to mitigate the impact of job redundancies within the company, according to its chief executive.

Speaking at a press conference following the company’s trading statement released yesterday (9 January), Roger Whiteside said he was concerned about the impact potential job cuts would have on staff morale.

In yesterday’s statement, the company said that more than 400 jobs were possibly at risk, due to structural changes to its supply chain and to reduce general overhead costs.

“We are determined to conduct the exercise in the ‘Greggs way’ – with sensitivity and to show full consideration to the people involved in the process,” he said. “We will do everything we can to mitigate the impact to them. It’s never nice when you’re involved in redundancies of this nature.”

Whiteside added that, where possible, Greggs will give help to find roles for staff members outside the company.

With the announced closure of 79 in-store bakeries over the next 12 to 18 months, 300 roles are at risk. A list of stores is not currently available, though Whiteside said that they were “spread about” across the country with more in the south east.

The proposed restructuring of management and support teams, including roles at a senior and administrative level at head office, could also result in 110 positions becoming redundant.

This is the largest number of jobs ever put at risk by Greggs, though the company stressed that different roles could become available due to the restructuring.