High street bakery chain Greggs has announced plans to shut four of its factories and cut 740 jobs, proving that even the purveyors of the humble sausage roll are not immune to the cold, hard logic of corporate restructuring.

The proposed closures affect manufacturing sites at North Lakes near Penrith in Cumbria, Pettigrews in Kelso, Scotland, Seaham in County Durham, and Enfield in Greater London. Distribution operations will continue from Enfield, so at least someone will still be there to wave goodbye to the sausage rolls as they head elsewhere.

The proposals will also impact manufacturing operations at its Treforest site in Wales, though that will continue as a distribution centre. The chain, headquartered in Newcastle, insists its retail shops will not be affected - so your local Greggs will still be there to sell you a steak bake while you contemplate the fragility of employment.

The changes are set to unfold over the next two and a half years, with parts of Greggs' manufacturing processes relocating. The range of products made at its Clydesmill Glasgow and Manchester locations will be reduced, production of tinned bread at Gosforth will stop, and some products will be sourced from specialist suppliers. Because nothing says "freshly baked" like a supply chain overhaul.

Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), said the union was "deeply concerned" about the announcement. "Our immediate priority is our members, their jobs, their families and the communities that could be affected by these proposals," she said.

She noted that Greggs itself had been clear the business continued to "perform strongly." Woolley added: "Against that backdrop, our members will understandably be asking why their jobs and livelihoods should now be put at risk in the name of efficiency and future progression." A question that practically answers itself, really.

Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie said the company needed to "keep evolving alongside changing customer expectations." She added: "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." So, strengthening the network by shrinking it - a bold new definition of strength.

The firm employs 33,000 people in the UK, the majority working in its stores. A consultation with staff is expected to start soon, and the company said "no final decisions" had been made yet. The shake-up is expected to cost about £60m, including disruption costs and redundancy payments, but Greggs says it will save around £20m across the 2028 and 2029 financial years. Because nothing says sound financial planning like spending £60m to save £20m.

On a brighter note - for the company, at least - like-for-like sales grew by 3.4% across its managed stores, with overall growth buoyed by new shop openings. Sales grew by 7.7% in the three months to September 26 compared with the same period a year earlier, which Greggs called progress in the face of "challenging market conditions" as consumer finances come under pressure. Positive trading and continued cost control mean the company expects a "modestly improved outcome" for 2026. Modest indeed.

Greggs opened 95 new shops and closed 38 in the year to date, taking its overall estate to 2,796 shops. So while 740 workers face an uncertain future, at least the pasty pipeline remains robust.