R&R Ice Cream to close Leeds factory
R&R Ice Cream has today confirmed that its Crossgates factory in Leeds will close at the end of the year.
The Yorkshire-based business said that following detailed discussions with the consultative group, the closure of the factory is the only viable financial option.
R&R said there will be no loss of jobs to Yorkshire as all staff being offered jobs at R&R’s Leeming Bar site in North Yorkshire.
A review of the site’s future was announced on April 29, the elected consultative group has met regularly to examine all possible alternatives to closure.
R&R has confirmed the next phase of talks with the consultative group will include possible ways of assisting employees to travel from Leeds to Leeming Bar such as providing transport.
When launching the consultation at Crossgates, R&R said that, although £23m had been invested in the site over the years, the fabric of the buildings is now in need of considerable investment. In addition, the area is now increasingly residential in nature which means it is becoming much more difficult to manufacture without upsetting residents.
R&R Ice Cream acquired the Crossgates site from Treats Ice Cream after that business merged with what was then Richmond Ice Cream. 135 people are currently employed at the site.
