Gloucester’s Griggs Timber Company to Close After Over a Century, Staff to Lose Jobs Before Christmas

Gloucester faces the loss of a historic timber merchant as Griggs Timber Company announces closure just days before Christmas. The company, located on Bristol Road and operating for more than 100 years, will cease operations after sustaining losses over the past three financial years.

The parent firm, Kellaway Group, confirmed on December 23 that the decision to close Griggs Timber was “extremely difficult” but ultimately unavoidable due to ongoing financial challenges and a downturn in the housing market. The business currently employs around two dozen staff, all of whom will be impacted by the closure.

Julian Milligan, managing director of Kellaway Group, emphasized that extensive consultations took place before reaching this outcome. “Despite efforts to stabilise operations, continued losses and a weakening housing sector have made it impossible to maintain a sustainable business into 2026,” he said.

Milligan added that supporting employees through the transition is now the company’s top priority. This includes helping workers with job applications and offering training to improve their skills for future employment opportunities.

Griggs Timber’s roots trace back to the 1870s with founder Joseph Griggs, the first mayor of Loughborough. The company established its Gloucester site in 1917 and remained a fixture in the community for over a century before its acquisition by Kellaway Group in 2013.

News of the closure has saddened local officials and residents, particularly in Loughborough, where Joseph Griggs’ legacy endures. David Northage, mayor of Charnwood Borough Council, expressed regret over the company’s demise, highlighting Griggs’ historical significance and generosity to the town.

“It’s the end of an era,” Northage said. “Joseph Griggs was a major benefactor, and his legacy is still felt through the mayoral chains and a road named after him. The closure of the business marks the loss of an important chapter in our local history.”