Warburtons invests £100m to boost capacity and future‑proof growth

Warburtons has acquired the former Rathbones bakery in Wakefield, securing the land, buildings and machinery to create what will become the company’s 13th bakery.

The site, previously earmarked for closure, will be redeveloped to produce Warburtons‑branded lines and is expected to create over 40 jobs across manufacturing, warehousing and distribution when it opens later this year.

The UK bakery sector is undergoing consolidation, with several operators closing sites due to rising costs and operational pressures. Against this backdrop, Warburtons is pursuing a long‑term, infrastructure‑led growth strategy, investing heavily to secure capacity, support innovation and maintain its position as the UK’s biggest bakery brand. The company’s expansion comes as demand for branded bakery products — including crumpets, pancakes and gluten‑free lines — continues to rise.

The Wakefield acquisition strengthens Warburtons’ ability to meet growing demand for its core bakery ranges while supporting future product development.

Alongside the new site, the company is installing new crumpet lines in Burnley, a new pancake line in Bolton, and undertaking a major redevelopment of its gluten‑free bakery in Newburn, which will double in size and enhance innovation, sustainability and quality. These upgrades will improve throughput, expand capacity and support the rollout of new products across multiple categories.

The investment supports Warburtons’ retail customers across the UK, ensuring consistent supply of high‑volume staples such as bread, crumpets and pancakes, while strengthening its ability to serve the fast‑growing gluten‑free segment. It also benefits the company’s extensive distribution network, which delivers more than 2 million products to over 18,500 stores daily.

Warburtons’ £100m programme includes not only the Wakefield acquisition but also a new distribution centre in Biggleswade, designed to improve freshness and efficiency across its national network. The investment follows the 2025 purchase of the former Roberts Bakery site in Ilkeston, now fully operational, and reflects the company’s long‑term approach to securing capacity and supporting future growth.

Chairman Jonathan Warburton said the expansion demonstrates the family business’s commitment to investing for the long term. The company aims to ensure it can meet consumer needs today while building the infrastructure required for future innovation and category leadership.

Warburtons’ expansion signals confidence in the long‑term resilience of the UK bakery market at a time when other operators are retrenching. By increasing capacity, upgrading production lines and strengthening its distribution network, the company is positioning itself to lead category growth, support retailers more effectively and accelerate innovation across both mainstream and gluten‑free bakery.