Council joins fight to keep Hovis factory open
BIRMINGHAM City Council has launched a taskforce to try and prevent the closure of a Hovis bakery and the loss of more than 500 jobs.
Premier Foods announced on Tuesday that it is proposing to shut its Garretts Green bakery site as part of nationwide closures which will see 900 jobs lost. More than 500 of those jobs are in birmingham.
The St Albans-based firm – which owns the Hovis brand – said in a statement it is attempting to build value in its bread business and drive sustainable profitable growth through simplifying its manufacturing and distribution operations to improve efficiency, quality and service levels.
The factory is set to close by next June.
But local MP John Hemming has sought talks with the firm to discuss the move and now Birmingham City Council is planning to do the same.
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, jobs and skills, said: “I was very concerned to hear of the proposal to close the Premier Foods factory in Garretts Green.
“If this goes ahead it will be devastating for everyone affected by the closure, and their families, as well as having a negative impact on the local economy.
“That is why I am announcing the immediate setting up of a special taskforce, to work with the company to explore every possible option to prevent or mitigate this closure.”
The taskforce will be the city council and its strategic partners, including the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP and JobCentre Plus.
Councillor Ali said he will also be writing to business secretary Vince Cable and Iain Duncan Smith, secretary of state for work and pensions, to raise the issue.
