175 jobs saved as chicken producer reverses factory closure

A chicken firm which supplies Nando’s and McDonalds has performed a dramatic U-turn by reversing a decision to close a major Derbyshire production plant.

Moy Park had warned of huge job losses at its facility in Ashbourne, with some 175 jobs in the balance. However, the site will now be scaled back and focus on business-to-buisness contracts, according to the company.

Despite this, some 760 jobs could still be lost at what Moy Park is calling a “reshape”. It has previously revealed plans to move production from Ahsbourne to Ballymena in Northern Ireland and Anwick in Lincolnshire.

A Moy Park spokesperson said: “We are able to reshape our Ashbourne facility to be a business-to-business supplier, saving the site from closure. While the site will be downsized, 175 jobs will be saved as a result of this repositioning.

“This move will ensure we have a strong security of supply for future opportunities and provides contingency options.

“We are supporting the employees at the site and in our supply chain who have been impacted by the restructuring of the factory.”

Mick Coppin, GMB Organiser, said: “GMB has been negotiating and campaigning to save jobs at Moy Park for months. To see management sit up and listen to our members demands is fantastic.

“These workers are absolutely essential in producing and supplying our favourite chicken products across the country, in the home and in well love restaurant chains including Nando’s and McDonalds.

“Potential job losses on the scale feared would have been catastrophic for the local community, and GMB union members should be proud that they have delivered this win.

“This weekend I’ll be raising a toast with my Sunday Dinner to those GMB Union members at Moy Park in Derbyshire who brought the country back from the brink of a devastating chicken shortage.”