Greggs appoints Business Stream

The UK’s leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer, Greggs, has signed a new UK-wide water supply and wastewater services contract with Edinburgh–based water retailer Business Stream. 

Greggs will consolidate all of its water and wastewater billing through Business Stream, benefitting from having a single contact for all its water needs. Under the arrangement, Business Stream will provide services to all of Greggs’ company managed shops, of which there are 1,650, as well as its major production sites across the UK.

In addition, Business Stream will work with Greggs to develop a water management strategy designed to identify water efficiencies. A full trade effluent and treatment review is already underway.

Newcastle-based Greggs will also benefit from the water expert’s dedicated account management service, which includes day-to-day support and 24/7 emergency assistance, when required.

The high street baker recently unveiled its annual results, including a 7.4 per cent rise in sales to £960m. Its performance was boosted by 90 store openings, with sales at existing shops also growing by 3.7 per cent.

Ally Stephenson, Head of Purchasing for Greggs, said: “We have been very impressed with the support that we have received from Business Stream during the complex switch over process, and are already seeing the benefits of working with a national supplier.  Having a single point of contact who is helping us to resolve issues and minimise water usage will bring both financial and environmental benefits, which is key for us as a responsible business.”

James Cardwell-Moore, Commercial Director at Business Stream, said: “We are delighted to be working with Greggs across its growing UK estate and are particularly pleased to have won back this business in Scotland. Our aim is to work with Greggs to provide water and wastewater solutions that help the company become even more water efficient, delivering both financial and environmental gains. We look forward to building a strong partnership with this ambitious company for many years to come”.

Scotland’s non-domestic market, which covers all premises across private and public sector organisations, opened to competition in April 2008. Since then, Business Stream customers have saved more than £160 million on their water bills.

Business Stream expanded its operation in April 2017 when it began competing in the new £2.5bn English water market, which has enabled 1.2 million businesses and public bodies in England to choose their water supplier for the first time.