Hundreds of workers at Glasgow bakery Mortons Rolls made redundant as business collapses

Hundreds of workers at an iconic Glasgow bakery which collapsed into liquidation are being made redundant, STV News understands.

Mortons Rolls ceased operations after 58 years earlier this month, with 230 people now confirmed to have lost their jobs at the company’s Drumchapel manufacturing facility.

On March 3, the company issued a letter to employees advising that “all jobs are at risk”.

It comes after a provisional liquidator was appointed to the bakery on Friday.

An email sent to employees read: “I regret to advise you that the company is no longer in a position to make payments for services rendered by you under its contract of employment with you.

“You should therefore regard your service as terminated, as from March 7, 2023. A formal letter has been issued to your home address containing further details.

“The Provisional Liquidator is working alongside Skills Development Scotland and the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (“PACE”).

“This is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to helping individuals with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy. Further information is contained with the letter.”

Last week, the Scottish Government met with investors in a bid to find a solution. Business minister Ivan McKee held the meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Politicians including Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney were among those to call for the company to be rescued.

He stated that “time is of the essence” to secure a lease for the factory and save jobs.

The famous brand could be saved from closure after a future deal with investors was teased on the firm’s website, but a number of job losses are still expected even if that deal goes through.

Sweeney said: “The situation facing workers at Morton’s Rolls is incredibly difficult, and I know that the workforce and local community will be hurting.

“At the heart of this are workers and families who have been left in the dark with no contact from management and in some instances they are missing pay or pension contributions.

“That is utterly intolerable, unacceptable and must be rectified. The liquidator in this case has a duty to engage with the workforce and to advise them on what recourse they have regarding redundancy, pay and pensions. I would also encourage any worker affected by this to contact PACE who will assist them with getting support.”

He added: “However I don’t think all is lost here. For the past 10 days I have been in constant contact with the investors looking to restart production at Morton’s.

“I am hopeful that there will be an announcement in the coming days that reinstates much of the workforce in the short term. Longer term support will be needed and commitments have been made by the government to do everything possible to ensure Morton’s is able to be preserved.

“We will hold them to account for those comments as their support will be crucial to ensuring the long term viability of this business.”