NORTH-EAST baker Greggs says it will maintain its strong reputation in Scotland, despite worries over potential changes arising from the independence vote.

The pie and pasty maker, which employs 2,700 workers north of the border, told The Northern Echo it is confident of trading successfully whatever the result in the referendum.

The company said products, which focus on items such as the Scotch Pie, continue to be popular with customers.

It added its regional bakery centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow, coupled with a site in Cumbria making sauces for pizza bases, would also markedly reduce any problems in transporting goods, should Scotland vote for independence.

Bosses made the reassurance after revealing like-for-like sales increased 5.4 per cent for the 11 weeks to September 13, with like-for-like sales up 3.9 per cent for the year to date.

Total sales growth for the year stands 3.5 per cent higher.

Roger Whiteside, chief executive, said while the vote was a matter for Scottish people, the firm was ready to respond to whatever decision they make.

He said: “Scotland is a very important market for us and we employ 2,700 people in 239 stores.

“We have local lines, such as products like Scotch Pies, which are sold in that area, just like stotties are sold in the North-East and we’ve always been very popular up there.

“However, it’s a bit of a game of wait and see over the vote, but I’m confident we will be able to react and are ready to respond.

“If it was a yes vote, it wouldn’t be like we would have to ship things up there because we have our sites already.

“However, we cannot say what will happen to prices until we know what will change in the market.”

Mr Whiteside said the Newcastle-based company’s financial performance was a reflection of its decision to target the lucrative food-on-the-go convenience market, with its range of healthier sandwiches and coffee selling well.

He added: “The sandwiches are doing really well and our coffee shows no signs of slowing down.

“The Balanced Choice sandwiches are selling well right across the country and we take more than £1m a week from it.

“Our strong performance reflects a positive response from customers to new products, improved service, better value and our investment in shop refurbishments alongside more favourable trading conditions.

“While we face tougher comparatives in the final quarter, the combination of strong sales performance, lower costs and our outlook for the remainder of the year means we now anticipate full-year profits to be materially ahead of our previous expectation.”