Gloucester’s Griggs Timber Company announces closure before Christmas
Gloucester workers have been told they will lose their jobs as a longstanding timber merchant has announced its closure
Gloucester workers have been told they will lose their jobs as a longstanding timber merchant has announced its closure just days before Christmas.
The owners of Griggs Timber Company have decided to close the business after more than 100 years at their Bristol Road site after “operating at a loss for the past three financial years”.
Owners Kellaway Group confirmed today (December 23) that the firm, which has around two dozen workers, will be closed down.
The news comes just a week after the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported concerns about the long-term future of the site.
Julian Milligan, Kellaway Group managing director, said in a statement that the decision to close was “ extremely difficult” and not one taken lightly.
The firm’s main focus now is to support employees and help them with job applications and in securing future employment, he said.
“Griggs Timber has reached the decision to close the business following a sustained period of financial underperformance and a prolonged downturn in the housing market,” he said.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision and one that has not been taken lightly.
“Following extensive consultation with employees and a thorough review of the company’s financial position, the board has concluded that closure is unavoidable.
“The business has operated at a loss for the past three consecutive financial years, with the current year representing a further deterioration in performance.
“Despite sustained efforts to stabilise the business, ongoing losses and continued weakness in the housing sector mean there is no realistic prospect of improvement during 2026 sufficient to return the company to a sustainable footing.
“The company’s priority is now to support employees through this transition, including assistance with job applications and the provision of refresher, upskilling and competency based training for operational roles, to support employees in securing future employment.
“Griggs Timber extends its sincere thanks to its employees, customers, and suppliers for their commitment and support over many years.”
The timber company was originally founded in Loughborough in the 1870s by Joseph Griggs, the first mayor of the Leicestershire market town.
Griggs Timber Company opened at its current Gloucester site in 1917 and has operated out of there ever since. In 2013, the site was bought by its current owners.
The news of the closure has been met with great sadness in the hometown of the company’s founder.
David Northage (C, Shepshed West), mayor of Charnwood Borough Council, said he was very sorry to hear of the demise of the Griggs company.
Joseph Griggs was the first mayor of the borough of Loughborough and as an alderman presented an 18ct gold chain to the council in 1888.
The mayoral chains of Loughborough became the chains of Charnwood and a change was made to the inscription after local government reorganisation in 1974.
“Loughborough is so proud of its association with Joseph Griggs,” Cllr Northage said. “He was the first mayor of the town and has a road named after him.
“If we’ve got an event on, I wear the gold chain that was donated by Joseph Griggs that weighs one kilogram.
“You can imagine how much that must have cost him in the 1880s. He was a real benefactor to the town of Loughborough.
“We are very sorry to hear of the demise of the Joseph Griggs Company. It’s the end of an era.”