Nearly 400 jobs at risk as Morrisons proposes closing Rathbones bakery

Bradford-headquartered supermarket chain, Morrisons, is reportedly set to shut its Rathbones bakery, with nearly 400 workers at risk of redundancy.

There has been speculation this year about a possible acquisition of the 28,000 sq ft Wakefield factory by Hovis. However, despite early stage talks a deal could not be reached.

A spokesman for Morrisons told The Grocer magazine that the supermarket had carried out “a thorough review” of options for the future of Rathbones.

He said: “After a period of growth and investment, the business has been lossmaking for a number of years. “Although we have tried several routes to return the business to profitability, none have been successful.

“This has led us to consider the possibility of closing the site.”

Morrisons has now entered into consultation with 378 employees at Rathbones.

The spokesman added: “The current proposals do unfortunately mean colleagues at the site are at risk of redundancy, and we will do everything we can to help those colleagues affected, including investigating whether there are any other suitable roles elsewhere in the group.

“We are considering all alternative options, and want to work with our partner union BFAWU, together with employee representatives, on how we could change our current business model and safeguard as many jobs as possible.”

He said the 450 in-store Market Street bakeries are not impacted by the proposals and will continue to serve shoppers freshly made bakery products every day.

Morrisons took over Rathbones in 2005 after the bakery fell into administration. The Wakefield site is part of the supermarket’s Myton Food Group manufacturing operation, which runs 18 food factories to supply stores with a variety of products.

Rathbones produces a range of bakery items, including sliced bread, hot cross buns, muffins, crumpets, pancakes, naans and pittas.