‘Heavy blow for community’ as 300 Notts jobs face axe

The UK’s biggest union is calling for urgent talks after food giant Bakkavor revealed it is set to close its Welcome Foods factory in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, putting around 300 jobs at risk.

A Bakkavor spokesman said: “Bakkavor Group can confirm it is entering into a period of consultation with employees at Welcome Foods in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, with regard to ceasing all operations at the site.

“For some time now Welcome Foods has been impacted by difficult trading conditions. The group has explored a number of different options to sustain the business but has now concluded Welcome Foods is no longer commercially viable. Therefore our proposal is to cease operations at Welcome Foods and transfer production to other Bakkavor sites which have similar product synergies.

“The consultation process will last at least 45 days during which time the business will be working closely with site employee forum representatives and Unite, the recognised union for the site. This will include considering all representations made on behalf of the company’s employees.

“If our proposal goes ahead, we will make significant efforts to assist staff in finding alternative employment in the local area and relocate staff wherever possible within Bakkavor Group.

“We would like to thank all of our employees for their commitment and professionalism during this difficult time. We will work closely with the representatives to keep employees appropriately updated throughout the consultation period.”

The Unite union is calling for urgent talks next week over the threat.

The union said that the planned closure of the site, owned by the Bakkavor Group, was “a heavy blow for the workforce, their families and the local Nottinghamshire economy”.

Unite regional officer Steve Syson said: “The union wants an urgent meeting with the management next week, with the aim of mitigating and reducing the large scale job losses. We understand that about 300 jobs could be under threat.

“We appreciate that this is a very tough time for the workers and the wider Nottinghamshire economy. Unite will be fighting 100 per cent to lessen the impact of this announcement.

“We want to explore the business reasons for the planned closure during the 45-day consultation period and the opportunities for alternative employment within the group.”