Greggs set to axe more than 800 jobs following recent Covid-19 restrictions

Bakery giant Greggs has warned its employees of hundreds of redundancies following the UK’s introduction of tighter rules.

The company’s boss said the chain, which has more than 2,000 stores across the UK, many of which are in Scotland, will “not be profitable” moving forward with the current level of sales while England is in lockdown and Scotland is running under its new tiered system.

Chief executive Roger Whiteside said: “Covid trading conditions have forced this action onto our business and we are all very saddened by the need to part company with around 820 friends and colleagues, many of whom have worked with us for many years.

"At lockdown levels of sales, even after all of the mitigating action that we have taken, Greggs will not be profitable as a business and there can be no room for complacency."

Greggs has announced it will cut more than 800 jobs due to the impact of coronavirus restrictions picture: JPI Media

He went on to say “the battle with Covid hasn't gone away" and it the struggles are only “intensifying” with rules tightening ahead of the Christmas period.

He said: “Christmas this year will be unlike any other. Many customers will move their gift shopping online and others may choose to leave it late hoping for the opportunity to go shopping again in December.

“We will need to be quick to react as new customer footfall patterns emerge and therefore plan to keep things as simple as possible whilst offering a fast and friendly service in a safe environment."

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