Mortons well-fired crispy roll could live to fight another day after an MSP said he had scoped out potential buyers for the troubled Scots bakery.
The Glasgow firm, known for its Starship-aping "We Built This City on Morton's Rolls" slogan, ceased trading as it entered administration last week, putting 250 jobs at risk. It supplied baked goods to a number of businesses across Scotland, including German discounters Aldi and Lidl.
Since the firm entered administration on March 3, calls have been made for the firm to be rescued. Hope could be on the horizon after Labour Glasgow region MSP Paul Sweeney said he had engaged in "positive" talks with "angel investors" – would-be buyers who would invest in the firm in exchange for a share of its business.
Writing on Twitter, Mr Sweeney said: "I've had a positive discussion today with angel investors who are prepared to buy @mortonsrolls, saving the brand and many of the jobs. Time is of the essence to secure the factory lease and jobs."
He has called for the Scottish Government to step in to assist with any potential Morton's rescue. The MSP added: "I have requested that Scottish Ministers engage with the investors within 24 hours."
The Scottish Government was contacted for comment. However, the government-led PACE scheme, which supports workers facing redundancy, has been mobilised to support Mortons employees staring down redundancy.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said that officers are working to establish why the bakery, which was two months late in declaring its most recent accounts, went under "out of the blue". She said this week: "Our number one priority is to support those facing redundancy into new jobs as quickly as possible and minimise any disruption to household incomes.
"A closure and job losses on this scale is a big blow to the local community and swift action is needed to mitigate it. Glasgow City Council has reached out to Mortons management and I urge them to engage closely with us for the sake of their workers."
Mortons was founded by Bob Morton and Jim Clarke in Anniesland in 1965, and was estimated to have produced over two million rolls every week from its most recent base in Drumchapel. The company collapsed under the weight of debts in 2006 and was brought back under new ownership in 2008.
Workers were told on Friday March 3 that they could lose their jobs. A letter distributed to employees read: "Whilst no final decision has been taken, every employee of the company is receiving this letter as all jobs are at risk.”
Local Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said: "I held positive talks with the government today, and they have agreed to meet with the investors aiming to save Mortons Rolls and protect the jobs at the factory. It is now for the government to ensure that a deal is done."
Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “The workers affected by any business ceasing trading are the immediate priority. The Scottish Government’s initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), has contacted the company to offer to provide support to affected employees. PACE aims to minimise the time people affected by redundancy are out of work by providing skills development and employability support.
“This afternoon, I had a constructive meeting with Paul Sweeney MSP and Bill Kidd MSP to discuss how the Scottish Government can further support those at risk of redundancy and to consider suitable next steps.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
