Fears for 314 jobs as Wirral food factory faces closure

More than 300 jobs are at risk at a Merseyside food factory.

Cereal Partners UK (CPUK), produces the Nestle Cheerios breakfast snack at its Bromborough plant, as well as rice crispies and cornflakes for all major supermarkets.

The site has been in production for more than 30 years.

However, the company has announced plans to close its Bromborough operation and relocate its workload to another plant in Staverton, Wiltshire.

A company spokesperson said: “Cereal Partners United Kingdom and Ireland (CPUK&I) is talking to employees about proposed changes to manufacturing that would involve a £74m investment at its Staverton factory and the closure of its factory in Bromborough.

“Regrettably, these proposals would put 314 roles at risk of redundancy.

“Under the proposals, production of branded cereals at Bromborough would be transferred to CPUK&I’s Staverton site where £74m would be invested to expand the factory’s capability and around 60 new roles created.”

The company revealed it is considering stopping the production of supermarket branded cereals and exiting the supermarket branded cereals business at the end of its current contracts.

The spokesperson added: “Both CPUK&I factories are currently below capacity. These proposals would adjust CPUK&I’s manufacturing footprint to better match demand and simplify our portfolio to focus investment on our branded cereals.

“Sales of breakfast cereal are in significant decline owing to the changing habits of UK and Irish consumers and greater competition from alternative breakfast options.”

The company said: “CPUK&I regrets the potential impact on employees and the immediate priority is to work together to review the proposals while supporting people through this process with care and sensitivity.”

While saying CPUK&I remains ‘open to alternative solutions’ including the possible sale of the Bromborough site, the spokesperson added: “It is important that discussions with employees and their representatives are carried out in a private and respectful way and our people are the first to hear of any future developments.

“There will be no further communication on these proposals until those discussions are complete.”

Matt Denton, GMB regional organiser, said: “This is a deeply worrying time for GMB members and their families.

“For three decades, CPUK has been at the heart of this community, providing good jobs and supporting countless businesses.

“Three hundred skilled workers facing an uncertain future is simply unacceptable.”

He added: “GMB will fight to protect jobs, secure fair treatment for workers and explore all potential options to mitigate the impact of this closure.

“We demand urgent talks with management and call on the company to engage with us to make sure workers’ voices are heard, and livelihoods are prioritised.”