An iconic Glasgow bakery which closed suddenly could be saved after discussions with angel investors.
On Saturday, it was reported that Mortons Rolls had ceased operations after 58 years with some 250 people expected to lose their jobs at the company’s manufacturing facility in Drumchapel.
However, on Monday night Labour MSP Paul Sweeney announced that Mortons Rolls may be saved after a “positive discussion with angel investors”.
In a tweet, he wrote: “I’ve had a positive discussion today with angel investors who are prepared to buy @mortonsrolls, saving the brand and many of the jobs.
“Time is of the essence to secure the factory lease and jobs. I have requested that Scottish Ministers engage with the investors within 24 hours.”
On Tuesday, the MSP said: “I held positive talks with the government today and they have agreed to meet with the investors aiming to save Mortons and protect the jobs at the factory.
“It is now for the government to ensure that a deal is done and that this famous Glasgow brand can survive for decades to come.”
Shereen Izol, who owns a deli that stocks the bakery’s famous morning rolls, said she opened her shop on Saturday to find no rolls had been delivered.
“When I got the message, just shortly afterwards, to say that they’d ceased trading, it was a huge shock to be honest,” she told STV News.
“People are still coming in today [asking], ‘can I have a crispy roll?’ and we just can’t do it because you can’t really pick that up in a supermarket the same way you can get a delivery from Mortons,” said Ms Izol.
“People in Glasgow, they love Mortons Rolls and that’s what they want.”
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said on Monday that the councils’ “number one priority” was to support workers facing redundancy into new jobs “as quickly as possible”.
A letter to Mortons Rolls employees – dated March 3 – circulating on social media read: “We are writing to consult you with regard to your employment with Morton’s Rolls Limited being terminated as a result of redundancy.
“Whilst no final decision has been taken, every employee of the company is receiving this letter as all jobs are at risk.”
Suppliers across Glasgow said on Saturday morning they had not received orders of Mortons rolls.
The SRL reported that Mortons Rolls is three months late filing its annual results with Companies House and there is an active proposal to strike off the company – a process whereby a limited company is removed from the register of companies.
Mortons started making morning rolls in 1965 before expanding into cakes, tattie scones and more baked goods. The company was originally founded by Bob Morton and Jim Clarke in 1965 at their bakery in Temple, Anniesland, situated on the west side of Glasgow.
In 2021, the company did a six-figure deal with Lidl to provide rolls and other items, saying they were making a significant investment in new machines and new jobs.
Mortons Rolls has been contacted for comment.
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