Just days before Christmas, employees at Gloucester’s Griggs Timber Company have been informed that their jobs are at risk as the business prepares to close after more than 100 years in operation. The timber merchant, located on Bristol Road, will cease trading following sustained financial losses over the past three financial years.
The closure announcement was made on December 23 by parent company Kellaway Group, which owns Griggs Timber. The company employs approximately two dozen workers who now face an uncertain future.
Julian Milligan, managing director of Kellaway Group, described the decision to close the business as “extremely difficult” and stressed that it was made only after thorough consultation with employees and careful examination of the company’s financial position. He cited a prolonged downturn in the housing market, which has severely impacted the timber trade, as a key factor behind the continued financial underperformance.
READ MORE: New Video Showcases Remarkable Progress on A417 Missing Link Project
READ MORE: Cat Owner Turns Her Back and Thanksgiving Turmoil Ensues
“The business has struggled with losses for three successive years, with no indication of recovery in 2026,” Milligan explained. “Despite efforts to stabilise the company, ongoing market weakness leaves us with no viable path to sustainable operations.”
The company has prioritized providing support to affected employees, including assistance with job applications, retraining, and upskilling to help workers transition to new roles.
Griggs Timber Company has deep historical roots, having originated in Loughborough in the 1870s under founder Joseph Griggs, who was also the town’s first mayor. The Gloucester site opened in 1917 and remained operational there until now. The Kellaway Group acquired the site in 2013.
Local leaders have expressed sadness at the closure. David Northage, mayor of Charnwood Borough Council, reflected on Joseph Griggs’ legacy, noting that the founder was a significant benefactor to the community and that his donation of an 18-carat gold chain remains a cherished symbol of civic pride. Northage mourned the company’s closure as “the end of an era” for the region.
As the timber merchant shutters, it closes a chapter on over a century of business history, highlighting the challenges traditional industries face amid shifting economic landscapes.