Greggs starts new bakery, safeguarding 300 jobs

Work has started on a new £16m bakery for Greggs, the bakery retailer, in Openshaw, East Manchester.

The 75,000 sq ft building on Parkhouse Street in Openshaw will enable Greggs to relocate 300 staff from other sites in the area.

Greggs received assistance from Manchester City Council, urban regeneration company New East Manchester and a £7m grant from the North West Development Agency.

Ian Pegg, managing director of Greggs North West, commented: "Greggs is hugely committed to the North West and the start of work at the new bakery is a milestone in our regional expansion strategy. We are delighted with the progress to date."

Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: "It's great to see this new facility start to take shape. Greggs is a major local employer and this new building acts as a symbol of the company's commitment to the area. This is an excellent example of joined-up regeneration where the public and private sector work in partnership for the benefit of the local community."

The building is due to be completed in September with a number of departments expected to be operating from the new site by Christmas.