John Gregg (baker)
John "Jack" Robson Gregg (1909–1964) 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] In 1951 he opened a shop on Gosforth high street.[4]
He died of lung cancer in 1964.[2]
Personal life[]
He was married to Elsie and together they went on to have two sons, Colin and Ian, and one daughter, Gay.[2]
He was a Freemason.[5]
References[]
- ^ a b c Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
- ^ a b c How famous bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries Evening Chronicle, 19 March 2008.
- ^ Ian Gregg (2013). Bread: The Story of Greggs. Corgi. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-552-16949-3.
- ^ Takeaway market holds key to Greggs' future Northern Echo, 18 November 2003.
- ^ "Shipcote Lodge No.3626" (PDF). Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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- 1964 deaths
- British retail company founders
- Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England
- People from Newcastle upon Tyne
- 1909 births
- English Anglicans
- Deaths from lung cancer
- British Army personnel of World War II
- 20th-century English businesspeople
- British business biography stubs