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.

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

The Newcastle-based bakery chain 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.

Greggs 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.

Greggs: “already seeing the benefits of working with a national supplier”

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: the firm was delighted to be working with Greggs across its growing UK estate and particularly pleased to have won back this business in Scotland.

Scotland marks decade of water competition

This week Scotland’s non-domestic water market, which paved the way for all businesses and public sector organisations to choose their water supplier, is marking its tenth year of successful operation after opening in April 2008.

To coincide with the landmark anniversary, Business Stream has announced it has saved its customers over £160 million on their water bills since the market opened in Scotland.

Formed in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Water, Business Stream was Scotland’s first non-domestic retailer. It expanded its operation in April 2017, acquiring the non-household customer base of Southern Water, providing it with a strong foothold to compete within the new £2.5bn English water market.

Business Stream's most recent profit before tax was £21.8 million from revenue of £281 million. Headquartered in Edinburgh, it also has offices in Glasgow and Worthing, and employs around 350 staff.

Business Stream acquired the non-household customer base of Southern Water in preparation for the English retail water market. The acquisition doubled Business Stream’s customer base overnight, making it one of the largest retail water suppliers in the UK.

The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Water with its own board and independent management team.