Food firm to create 200 new jobs after landing major contract

A Carlisle company is to take on 200 new staff after winning a major Marks & Spencer contract.

2 Sisters Food Group, which runs Cavaghan and Gray, is planning a £7m expansion of its factory after winning the contract for M&S’s gastropub and fish ranges.

The company owns a number of household names including Fox’s biscuits and Holland’s pies.

William Duncanson, site director, said: “We are extremely proud to have worked closely with M&S for many years and to have been trusted with the production of even more exciting food ranges.

“We take a huge amount of pride in delivering and creating their quality products.

“The team here at Cavaghan and Gray are enormously hard-working and this investment will allow us to continue doing what we love, producing tasty, high quality food that customers love.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson added: “This is absolutely fantastic news for Carlisle. It demonstrates the confidence that 2 Sisters have in their workforce and the city.

“The creation of 200 jobs for a city of our size is extremely significant and must be hugely welcomed.

“A £7m investment into our city demonstrates that businesses have confidence in Carlisle and there is a growing confidence in the economic success of our city, as demonstrated by this investment and other investments that are going on.”

The business has been given approval to expand its factory at Durranhill Industrial estate.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that M&S will be one of the key tenants at the £80m Rochdale Riverside development.

The company had pulled out of the scheme but has now had a change of heart.

Rochdale Borough Council leader Allen Brett, said: “Today’s confirmation that M&S will be part of our fantastic £80m Rochdale Riverside development, despite challenging trading conditions for high street stores up and down the country, is testament to the huge potential they see in our town and its continuing transformation.

“Rochdale Riverside will change the face of Rochdale, bringing more top quality high street stores to the heart of the town centre, alongside a six screen cinema and a number of restaurants and cafes.”

Rochdale is undergoing a significant redevelopment with a further £150m set to be invested in the town centre over the next five years.

Mike Smith, partner at Genr8 Developments, said: “We are delighted that M&S has reconfirmed its commitment to Rochdale Riverside.

“Construction is well underway, and we are on-track to open to the public, Easter 2020. We have a fantastic line-up of tenants already committed to the scheme with further announcements imminent.”