John Gregg (baker)


John "Jack" Robson Gregg was an English businessman, best known as the founder of Greggs, one of the United Kingdom's largest bakery businesses employing 20,158 staff and operatives.

Biography

Gregg was born at Canada Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1909. At the age of 14 he joined the family egg and yeast business. He would make deliveries on his pushbike to local working-class homes. He acquired a van in the 1930s.
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. In 1951 he opened a shop on Gosforth high street.
He died of lung cancer in 1964.

Personal life

He was married to Elsie and together they went on to have two sons, Colin and Ian, and one daughter, Gay.
He was a Freemason.