John Gregg (baker)

For other people named John Gregg, see John Gregg (disambiguation).

John Gregg
Born	John Robson Gregg (1909-11-09)9 November 1909 Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Died	23 September 1964(1964-09-23) (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

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

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]

He was a Freemason.[8]

References

1. Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
2. "1939 England and Wales Register". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
3. How famous bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries Evening Chronicle, 19 March 2008.
4. Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
5. Takeaway market holds key to Greggs' future Northern Echo, 18 November 2003.
6. "How Gregg's bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries". ChronicleLive. Evening Chronicle. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
7. "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
8. "Shipcote Lodge No.3626" (PDF). Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2016.