80 Jobs at Risk: Co-op Closes Glasgow Shieldhall Coffin Factory 2026

Key Points

• Around 80 workers at Co-op Funeralcare’s coffin manufacturing factory in Shieldhall, Glasgow, face redundancy following the announcement of closure and relocation to Merseyside, England.
• The factory at Bogmoor Place is the UK’s only coffin manufacturing site, with closure expected by the end of November if plans proceed.
• Unite union has described the decision as “disgraceful,” urging alternatives like building a new factory in Glasgow.
• Co-op Funeralcare cites a strategic review, stating the Merseyside site offers a more central location, updated equipment, and improved efficiency.
• Unite general secretary Sharon Graham highlighted the factory’s role in a socio-economically deprived area of Glasgow.
• Unite regional coordinating officer Alison MacLean noted the business’s profitability, with £6m in operating profit, questioning investment priorities.
• Co-op spokesperson emphasised support for affected colleagues while balancing business needs for sustainability.
• Past industrial action over pay disputes occurred at the site, including strikes in 2022-2023.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) April 22, 2026 –

More than 70 jobs are at risk after Co-op Funeralcare announced it plans to close its only coffin manufacturing factory in Glasgow. The site at Bogmoor Place in Shieldhall is set to close, with operations transferring some 200 miles away to a new site in Merseyside. Under the plans, the Glasgow factory would close by November, affecting all workers at the company’s Shieldhall site.

Why is Co-op Funeralcare Closing the Glasgow Factory?

As reported by STV News, Unite the Union has branded the move “disgraceful” as around 74 members of staff are now at risk of redundancy. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“It’s disgraceful that the Co-op has chosen to close its factory when other viable options remain on the table including a new built factory in Glasgow.”

She added that the factory plays a key role in supporting employment in a socio-economically deprived area of Glasgow.

Unite regional coordinating officer Alison MacLean said:

“Co-op Funeralcare is a growing and profitable side of the business. The Co-op is investing significant money on a new site therefore why is it not doing this in Glasgow?”

She further stated: “This is a significant employer in an area with high levels of social deprivation. The Co-op can’t dodge its responsibility to these workers. Unite will leave no stone unturned in order to get the Co-op to reconsider this needless decision.” MacLean also mentioned that the funeralcare business had made about £6m in operating profit in recent accounts.

A spokesperson from Co-op Funeralcare said the decision had been made following a strategic review and the new factory meant they would be “more centrally positioned to operate more efficiently as a business”. They added the new factory would “allow us to introduce the most up-to-date manufacturing equipment and help support the growth and innovation of our funeralcare business.”

What Support Will Affected Workers Receive?

The spokesperson continued:

“We fully recognise the contribution of our colleagues at our coffin factory and understand the concern and uncertainty that this decision will cause, and we will provide full support to those colleagues impacted.”

They noted:

“However, we have needed to balance this decision against the current and future needs of our members and clients, and we believe this proposed change will help deliver a more sustainable Co-op Funeralcare.”

Co-op Funeralcare is one of the UK’s biggest funeral directors businesses. The Shieldhall site has been operational as the sole UK coffin manufacturing facility, producing for the company’s operations nationwide.

Has the Glasgow Factory Faced Issues Before?

In recent years, workers at the Bogmoor Place site have taken strike action in a row over pay, with the dispute lasting for months. As reported by the Evening Standard in 2023, coffinmakers at the Co-op Funeralcare site in Glasgow took continuous action until January 16 amid an ongoing pay dispute. Unite claimed Co-op bosses failed to make an acceptable offer, while the company spent over £1 million on third-party coffins.

Earlier, in October 2022, the Evening Standard reported that workers overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer described as less than half of inflation. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated then:

“The Co-op trades on being different to bad employers; it should not be proposing a real-terms pay cut for their Funeralcare workers, especially when they can well afford to pay fairly.”

A Co-op spokesperson responded:

“Our colleagues at our Glasgow coffin factory are a hugely valued part of our Co-op… We are confident that the combined base pay and production bonus for roles within the Coffin Factory remain highly competitive.”

STV News covered further strikes in 2022, with staff facing real-terms pay cuts during the cost of living crisis. The Co-op spokesperson reiterated disappointment at not reaching an agreement on pay.

Where is the New Factory Located and Why Merseyside?

The relocation targets a site in Merseyside, positioned more centrally for UK operations. This move aligns with Co-op Funeralcare’s strategic goals for efficiency and innovation through modern equipment. No specific opening date for the new facility was detailed beyond the Glasgow closure timeline.

Yahoo News echoed the announcement, noting more than 70 jobs at risk at the Bogmoor Place plant. BBC News reported on the story, confirming over 70 jobs at risk as the Glasgow coffin factory faces closure.

How Many Workers Are Affected Exactly?

Reports vary slightly on numbers: the initial announcement referenced about 80 workers, while STV specified around 74 Unite members. All production staff at the site are impacted, as the full operation relocates.

The factory’s role in a deprived area underscores local economic concerns, as emphasised by union leaders.

Background of the Development

The Shieldhall coffin factory in Glasgow has operated as the UK’s sole manufacturing site for Co-op Funeralcare, producing coffins for one of the largest funeral directors in the country. Established over years, it supported around 80 skilled workers in an area known for socio-economic challenges. Past labour disputes, including multiple strikes from 2022 to 2023 over pay, highlighted tensions between management and staff, with Unite accusing the company of inadequate offers amid inflation. Co-op Funeralcare has pursued sustainability initiatives, such as electric vehicle fleets and eco-friendly options, but this closure marks a significant operational shift. The decision follows a strategic review aimed at long-term business efficiency.

Prediction: Impact on Glasgow Workers and Community

This development could lead to immediate job losses for approximately 80 workers, increasing unemployment in Shieldhall, a socio-economically deprived area of Glasgow. The loss of a key local employer may strain community resources, as the factory provided stable employment in manufacturing. Relocation to Merseyside might centralise operations but exacerbate skills shortages in Glasgow’s funeral sector, prompting workers to seek retraining or alternative jobs. Union efforts could delay or alter plans, potentially preserving some roles through negotiation or investment alternatives like a new Glasgow site. Broader effects include heightened pressure on local support services and economic ripple effects on families dependent on these wages.