An iconic Glasgow bakery that suddenly closed has been saved after talks with angel investors.
On Saturday, it was reported that Morton Rolls was to cease operations after 58 years, with around 250 people expected to lose their jobs at the company’s manufacturing facility in Drumchapel.
However, on Monday night Labor MSP Paul Sweeney announced that Morton Rolls could be saved after “positive discussions with angel investors”.
In a tweet, he wrote: “I had a positive discussion today with angel investors who are ready to buy @mortonsrolls, saving the brand & many jobs.
“Time is of the essence to secure factory leases and jobs. I have requested that Scottish ministers engage with investors within 24 hours.
On Tuesday the MSP said: “I had positive talks with the government today and they have agreed to meet investors with the aim of saving Morton and protecting jobs in the factory.
“It is now up to the Government to ensure that a deal is struck and that this famous Glasgow brand can live on for decades to come.”
Shereen Izol, who stocks the bakery’s famous morning rolls, said she opened her shop on Saturday and found that no rolls had been delivered.
“When I got the message shortly afterwards that they had closed the business, it was a big shock to be honest,” he told STV News.
“People are still coming [asking], ‘Can I have a crispy roll?’ And we can’t just do that because you can’t really pick it up at the supermarket the same way you can get delivery from Morton’s,” Ms Ezol said.
“People in Glasgow, they love Mortons Rolls and that’s what they want.”
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said on Monday the council’s “number one priority” was to support workers facing redundancies in new jobs “as quickly as possible”.
A letter to Mortons Rolls employees – dated 3 March – circulated on social media: “We are writing to consult with you regarding your employment with Mortons Rolls Ltd, which is being terminated as a result of redundancies.
“While no final decision has been made, every employee of the company is receiving this letter because all jobs are at risk.”
Suppliers in Glasgow said on Saturday morning that they had not received orders for Morton’s rolls.
SRL informed that Morton Rolls is delaying the filing of its annual results with Companies House by three months and has an active proposal to wind up the company – a process whereby a limited company is struck off the Register of Companies .
Morton’s began making morning rolls in 1965 before expanding into cakes, tatty scones and more baked goods. The company was originally established by Bob Morton and Jim Clark in 1965 at their bakery in Anniesland, Temple, west of Glasgow.
In 2021, the company has signed a six-figure deal with Lidl to provide rolls and other items, saying they are making significant investments in new machines and new jobs.
Morton Rolls has been contacted for comment.