'Bye, Tony the Tiger': Kellogg's' place in Greater Manchester's history as Trafford factory faces closure

Kellogg's has been a mainstay among families in Greater Manchester for decades - from those who worked at its Trafford factory, to those who enjoyed its cereal every morning.

There was shock on Thursday (February 8) as owner Kellanova announced it could close the 86-year-old site.

The closure of the factory could cost up to 360 jobs and bring an end to Kellogg's' cereal production in Greater Manchester. The future of the site that makes Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Crunchy Nut and Coco Pops could be closed by the end of 2026.

The group says the factory, which opened in Trafford Park in 1938, is too old to modernise and that lots of the buildings at the site are already unused. Consultation began earlier today with workers at the famous site, which operates 24 hours a day and makes a million boxes of cereal daily.

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Andrew Western MP said closing the factory 'would be a devastating loss to the people of Stretford and Urmston' and said he hoped the owners reconsider closing the site. Not only would it be a blow for the local economy, many people living nearby would miss the smell of cornflakes baking and the colourful sight of Tony the Tiger on the site of the building.

When the news was announced, people took to the comments on the M.E.N's Facebook page to share their memories. Claire Smith, said: "Have such fond memories of when my grandad worked there and we were invited as kids to go to the Christmas parties held at the factory."

Debbie Moore, posted: "Noooooooo, it was always a game we played driving to see my grandma and aunt to spot the red 'K'. I knew I was almost home".

Lindsay Jayne, said: "How sad to read this. My grandad worked here for years when he was younger. Trafford Park wouldn't be the same without Kellogg's."

Hazel Gibb, said: "Noooooo - love the smell of cornflakes," while Jack Dolan commented: "My son loves seeing Tony as we drive past."

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History of Kellogg's at Trafford Park

After arriving in the UK in 1922, Kellogg's opened the largest cereal factory in Europe at Trafford Park on May 24, 1938. Costing $2m to build and covering 130,000 square feet, there have been many conflicting stories as to why this site was chosen.

One rumour is it was chosen as the location by an American director who loved Shakespeare and didn’t realise that Stretford and the Bard’s birthplace Stratford were different places. But Kellogg's have said that within a 75-mile radius, it had the highest population density in the country.

Adding, it was also picked as the most suitable place to build its first factory outside the US as it had a 'ready-made customer base and wealth of local talent for its workforce'. The location also boasted great road and rail links with the added bonus of the Manchester Ship Canal which being a cost effective way to transport raw materials in bulk.

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A Mrs Millward was chosen to officially open the factory after winning a competition to find 'the UK’s most typical housewife'. As the decades went on, the factory would go on to export corn-based and rice-based products such as Corn Flakes, Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes, Frosties, Rice Krispies, Coco Pops, Ricicles, Wheats and Mini Max to the whole of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.

When the Second World War broke out, the company created Wheat Flakes as import restrictions meant it was impossible to manufacture Corn Flakes. Staff from the factory also made up their own Kellogg's Unit in the Home Guard to protect the site and an ambulance team was also started as the site was bombed during the Blitz.

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The war also meant the cereal could only be distributed in the North West and Midlands. The restrictions meant Rice Krispies were denied to all Londoners but one as the cereal makers had earned Royal approval! Following the war, the first adverts targeting Mancunians were rolled out in 1950.

Showing drawings of commuters on their way to work outside Central Library on Oxford Street and a Kellogg’s delivery van, it was accompanied by the slogan Start Your Day The Kellogg’s Way! Posters and display boxes were also given out to Manchester shops to create eye-catching window displays during the decade.

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By the late '50s and early '60s, Kellogg's was producing Sugar Smacks, Variety Pack, Special K, Coco Krispies (Coco Pops), Sugar Stars and more. Florence Milward was invited back to the Trafford Park factory for the 25th anniversary in 1963, meeting Prince Phillip.

Prince Charles visited the factory in 1974, meeting staff and viewing cornflakes rolling off the production lines. In 1982, news Margaret Thatcher was to visit the factory saw some workers down tools and walk out in protest.

Later decades saw new cereals invented at the Trafford Park factory, including Crunchy Nut Cornflakes in 1980. That same decade, Kellogg’s UK Headquarters moved to Talbot Road, Manchester, in 1989, before moving to a new home in MediaCityUK in 2018.

Kellogg's celebrated its 100th anniversary of bringing breakfast to Britain in 2022. The company starting selling Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and All Bran in the UK in 1922 and today seven in 10 people have a Kellogg's product in their kitchen cupboard.

What are your memories of the Kellogg's factory in Trafford Park? Let us know in the comments section below.