Iconic Glasgow bakery Mortons Rolls has reportedly ceased trading after 58 years of supplying goods to the city.
Some 250 people are expected to lose their jobs at the company’s manufacturing facility in Drumchapel.
Mortons are known for their slogan “We built this city….on Mortons rolls”, seen on billboards across Glasgow.
A letter to employees – dated March 3 – circulating on social media reads: “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.
Café Strange Brew in the city’s southside said: “We will be running on very low number of rolls this weekend as we have been notified @mortonsrolls it’s closed until further notice.
“Thinking of all the employees and hope there is resolution soon.”
Meanwhile, Cup and Saucer in Neilston, East Renfrewshire, said: “As you will probably know by now, our roll supplier Morton’s unfortunately ceased trading last night – a shock to all.”
Retailer Natalie Lightfoot, of Londis Solo in Baillieston, told the Scottish Retailer Magazine: “It’s a shame, it’s a good product, it sells well. This is going to mean a drop in demand for us.”
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.
A spokesperson for Scottish Bakers, which supports and protects the interests of Scotland’s bakery trade, said: “Mortons Rolls is a longstanding member of Scottish Bakers and we are very sorry to hear that the business has stopped trading.
“We are unable to comment on the circumstances of the closure, and our concerns lie with the staff who’s livelihoods are on the line at this difficult time.”
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.
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney described the closure as “awful news”.
He said: “Coming after the closure of McVitie’s in Tollcross, losing the iconic Mortons Rolls of Drumchapel and 250 jobs would be another hammer-blow to Glasgow’s economy. The government must step in now to try to find a firm that will buy Mortons out of administration.”
Mark Cox, who plays Tam in the BBC sitcom Still Game, tweeted: “Mortons rolls? What? How? Kind of sick joke is this?!”
STV News has contacted Mortons for comment.
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