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Warburtons has unveiled a major investment programme exceeding £100 million as it marks its 150th anniversary.

Central to the strategy is the acquisition of the former Rathbones bakery site in Wakefield, purchased from Myton Food Group for an undisclosed sum.

The facility will become Warburton’s 13th bakery once redeveloped, with production expected to begin in September 2026. The site is set to create more than 40 roles across manufacturing, warehousing and logistics and will focus on producing core Warburtons branded lines while supporting innovation pipelines.

Chairman, Jonathan Warburton, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have agreed a deal on the former Rathbones site and look forward to welcoming new colleagues to the business very soon. Our family business takes a long-term approach, investing in our infrastructure to ensure we not only meet consumer needs today, but are set up to do so for the future.”

Alongside the Wakefield acquisition, the bakery group is also expanding its gluten-free capabilities with a major redevelopment of its Newburn facility.

The site, already the sole production hub for the company’s gluten-free range since 2011, is being upgraded into a modern state-of-the-art bakery with completion targeted for autumn 2026.

The investment programme will also feature a new logistics centre in Biggleswade, which will enhance Warburton’s supply chain, supporting its network of bakeries and depots to deliver more than two million products daily to approximately 18,500 outlets.

This is in addition to a new pancake production capability, which has been installed at its Bolton bakery and two additional crumpet lines at its Burnley site.

The latest round of investment builds on Warburton’s 2025 acquisition of a former Roberts Bakery site in Ilkeston, which has been fully operational since December 2025 and is already contributing to output across its product range.

Employing more than 5000 people across 12 bakeries and 18 depots, Warburtons remains one of the UK’s leading bakery brands, holding a 20% market share. Its portfolio spans over 70 products, including wrapped breads, crumpets, bagels, rolls and flatbreads distributed nationwide.

Founded in 1876 by Thomas and Ellen Warburton as a small grocery shop in Bolton, the business is now led by the fifth generation of the Warburton family.