Warburtons thins

Warburtons’ proposed new factory would turn out thins and wraps

Warburtons is planning to invest £20m in a new bakery in Burnley.

The family-owned baker has submitted a planning application for the new plant, which would produce wraps and thins.

Located next to Warburtons’ existing bakery on Billington Road, the bakery will manufacture an average of 5,500 products an hour and potentially create 60 new jobs.

“As a family business, we are able to take decisions for the long term and this planned investment demonstrates our continued commitment to the future growth of the business,” said Warburtons MD Neil Campbell.

The investment comes as sales of wraps and thins take off. Warburtons said sales of its sandwich alternatives had grown by 87% year-on-year. 

The baker already produces wraps and thins at plants in Bristol and Bolton, but decided to start producing them in Burnley as well because of its supply chain links and the scope for expansion at the site. 

“Over the past decade we have invested more than £400m in our infrastructure to ensure we can make the best quality products that our consumers know and love,” said Campbell. “We have 26 sites across the UK meaning we can get our products from the bakery to the shelf in as little time as possible – meaning fresher bread for our consumers.”

If Warburtons’ planning application is successful, work will begin on building the plant in February.