British Bakeries in consultation over site closures

British Bakeries, owned by Premier Foods, said increased self-sufficiency of operations in the south of England was a factor in the 90-day consultations.

It said there was now less of a requirement to move goods around the country, while bread consumption was falling. The company has proposed that only dispatch and logistics operations employing 250 people will be retained at Bradford. Jobs lost could total 370. At Telford, warehousing and logistics would go, leading to an estimated 60 jobs cut.

A spokeswoman said: "The proposed closure of Bradford and Telford is part of Premier Foods' plan to make its manufacturing footprint as efficient as possible. There are no current plans to close any more sites but we can't give a categorical assurance of that, given the nature of the business and the very competitive environment."

A Transport and General Workers Union source said: "We believe the latest closures that have been announced are just the start."

British Bakeries has 23 UK sites, employing 6,500 people.

On 31 July its Plymouth manufacturing operations ceased, with the loss of 150 jobs. The site now functions as a depot.

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