John Gregg (baker)

John "Jack" Robson Gregg (1909–1964) was an English businessman, best known as the founder of Greggs, the United Kingdom's largest bakery chain.

Biography[edit]

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 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 1939, he founded Greggs, a family bakery store in Tyneside, with its first shop opening in 1951 on Gosforth high street.[4] By 1953, the business consisted of one shop and six vans selling products from the bakery.[5]

He died of lung cancer in 1964.[2] After his death, his son, Ian Gregg, took over the family business.[4]

Personal life[edit]

He was married to Elsie and together they went on to have two sons, Colin and Ian, and one daughter.[2] He was also known by the name "Jack".[5]

He was a Freemason.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
  2. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b Takeaway market holds key to Greggs' future Northern Echo, 18 November 2003.
  5. ^ a b "How Gregg's bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries". ChronicleLive. Evening Chronicle. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Shipcote Lodge No.3626" (PDF). Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)