Warburtons, the leading UK baking firm, has announced plans to close a plant at its Newburn bakery in Newcastle upon Tyne with the loss of up to 118 jobs, according to a report in the Evening Chronicle.
Operational since 1989, the Newburn facility employs around 100 staff in its traditional bakery. It also has a separate ‘free from’ facility, which has made its gluten, dairy and milk free products for the last eight years.
The firm is said to have cited “changing consumer trends” as the reason for closing the traditional bakery, saying some customers had switched from buying its larger loaves in favour of newer products, including gluten free options. The separate gluten-free plant, as well as a depot on site, are said to be unaffected by the move.
“The bakery market continues to be challenging, and as consumers continue to switch from bread to other wrapped bakery such as bagels, flatbread and crumpets, we need to ensure our business is set up to meet demand for the long term”, a Warburtons spokesperson is quoted as saying. “Unfortunately, this means making the very difficult decision to enter into consultation on the proposed closure of our core Newburn bakery”.
Warburtons’ other manufacturing sites are in Bellshill (Glasgow), Bristol, Enfield, Burnley and Eastwood (Nottingham), as well as at its Bolton headquarters.
Source: Evening Chronicle / Warburtons