Hundreds of jobs at risk at Boots factory

A major Nottingham factory which produces cosmetics for Boots is set to close – with hundreds of jobs put at risk.

Fareva, which makes products for Boots, including its celebrated No.7 line, has confirmed it had kicked-off a staff consultation over the future of its Thane Road, Beeston, plant.

Fareva says it wants to transfer production to its other UK factory in Wales. The French firm says it will create 150 jobs in Wales, with priority given to Nottingham workers.

Fareva occupies the D10 factory at the sprawling Boots campus in Beeston, and employs around 800 people at the site.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “The effects of Covid and the recent political unrest in Europe have been unprecedented.

“Production volumes have decreased due to some customers moving production in-house and remaining business volumes are lower than their pre-Covid levels.”

Fareva bought Boots Contract Manufacturing in November 2017. Fareva said that production will continue until next year and no jobs would be lost until 2024.

Mark Wheatley, area organiser for the Usdaw union, said: “This is obviously devastating news for the staff and the local community.

“We will now enter into consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate the business case for their decision. In the meantime we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they require at the very difficult time, as we seek to secure the best deal possible.”