John Gregg (baker)

John "Jack" Robson Gregg (1909 - 1964) was an English businessman, best known as the founder of Greggs, one of the United Kingdom's largest bakery businesses employing 20,000 staff and operatives and a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

Life

Gregg was born at Canada Street, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1909.[1] At the age of 14 he joined the family egg and yeast business.[1] He would make deliveries on his pushbike to local working class homes.[2] He acquired a van in the 1930s.[1]

Gregg inherited the business from his father in the 1930s. In 1938 he established a bakery.

Gregg was called up to serve in the British Army during World War II and during this time his wife bought a second van and started distributing confectionery as well as ingredients for bread.[3] In 1951 he opened a shop on Gosforth high street.[4]

He died of lung cancer in 1964.[2]

Personal life

He was married to Elsie and together they went on to have two sons, Colin and Ian, and one daughter,Gay.[2]

He was a Freemason.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 How famous bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries Evening Chronicle, 19 March 2008
  3. ↑ Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
  4. ↑ Takeaway market holds key to Greggs' future Northern Echo, 18 November 2003
  5. ↑ http://ows.durhamfreemasons.org/Download/Misc%20Documents/Shipcote%20100%20Years.pdf