John Gregg (baker)
John Gregg | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Robson Gregg 9 November 1909 Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Died | 23 September 1964 (aged 54) Northumberland, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Greggs |
| Children | 3 |
John "Jack" Robson Gregg (9 November 1909 – 23 September 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 to John George Gregg (1874 – 1932) and Mary Ann Gregg (née Marrs; 1878 – ?).[1][2] 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.[3] 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.[4] In 1939, he founded Greggs, a family bakery store in Tyneside, with its first shop opening in 1951 on Gosforth high street.[5] By 1953, the business consisted of one shop and six vans selling products from the bakery.[6]
He died of lung cancer in 1964.[3][7] After his death, his son, Ian Gregg (b. 1939), took over the family business.[5]
Personal life
[edit]He was married to Elsie (née Davis; 1909 – 1972) and they had two sons, Colin and Ian, and one daughter.[3] He was also known by the name "Jack".[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
- ^ "1939 England and Wales Register". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
- ^ a b c How famous bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries Evening Chronicle, 19 March 2008.
- ^ Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
- ^ a b Takeaway market holds key to Greggs' future Northern Echo, 18 November 2003.
- ^ a b "How Gregg's bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries". ChronicleLive. Evening Chronicle. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
- ^ "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)
 | This United Kingdom business-related biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |