Concerns are mounting about the future of Griggs Timber Company, a historic timber merchant in Gloucester. The company, which has been a fixture on Bristol Road since 1917, is currently conducting a consultation with its staff that has sparked fears of potential closure.
Originally founded in the 1870s in Loughborough by Joseph Griggs—who notably served as the town’s first mayor—the timber merchant relocated to Gloucester over a century ago. Since 1917, it has operated continuously from its Bristol Road site, becoming an integral part of the local business community.
In 2013, the site was acquired by Kellaway Building Supplies. Now, with approximately two dozen employees at the Gloucester yard, reports indicate that redundancy talks have taken place, raising the possibility that the timber yard might close.
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Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD), representing the Hempsted and Westgate area of Gloucestershire County Council, expressed her concern for the staff: “It is vital to preserve traditional businesses like this. My thoughts are with those facing redundancy, and I hope the company supports them as best as possible.”
Jehona Roys, head of marketing at Kellaway Building Supplies, refrained from confirming any closure or layoffs, emphasizing that the consultation process is still ongoing. “The consultation is about the business, and no final decisions have been made yet,” she said. Roys added that more information will be available once the consultations conclude.
As uncertainty hangs over Griggs Timber Company, the community awaits clarity on the future of one of Gloucester’s longstanding businesses.