This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-42373062
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Britvic confirms Norwich factory closure | Britvic confirms Norwich factory closure |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Britvic has confirmed it will leave its Norwich site, with the loss of hundreds of jobs in the city, in 2019. | Britvic has confirmed it will leave its Norwich site, with the loss of hundreds of jobs in the city, in 2019. |
| The drinks manufacturer, which co-owns Carrow Works with Unilever, said it would transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its other sites. | The drinks manufacturer, which co-owns Carrow Works with Unilever, said it would transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its other sites. |
| It said it would offer employees redeployment and "help to find alternative employment". | It said it would offer employees redeployment and "help to find alternative employment". |
| The Unite union said the announcement just before Christmas was a bid to "bury bad news". | |
| Britvic has been based at the site, which it shares with Colman's Mustard, since 1925. | Britvic has been based at the site, which it shares with Colman's Mustard, since 1925. |
| Manufacturing will instead take place at Rugby, east London and Leeds. | Manufacturing will instead take place at Rugby, east London and Leeds. |
| The decision follows a consultation with employee representatives, including the GMB and Unite unions. | The decision follows a consultation with employee representatives, including the GMB and Unite unions. |
| A Britvic spokeswoman said it currently employed 249 people at Carrow Works, but that this figure included staff on 12-month fixed-term contracts. | A Britvic spokeswoman said it currently employed 249 people at Carrow Works, but that this figure included staff on 12-month fixed-term contracts. |
| "Transferring production will improve efficiency and productivity and reduce our environmental impact," the company said. | |
| Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "This was not a proposal that we made lightly and we understand that the outcome of the collective consultation process will be upsetting for our colleagues in Norwich. | Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "This was not a proposal that we made lightly and we understand that the outcome of the collective consultation process will be upsetting for our colleagues in Norwich. |
| "It is a sad and difficult time. | "It is a sad and difficult time. |
| "I want to thank everyone at Norwich, past and present, for their dedication, hard work and commitment, and I would like to say again that this decision is in no way a reflection of their performance." | "I want to thank everyone at Norwich, past and present, for their dedication, hard work and commitment, and I would like to say again that this decision is in no way a reflection of their performance." |
| The Unite union criticised the timing of the announcement and described the closure as "a hammer blow for the workers and the economy of Norwich in the run up Christmas". | |
| Its national officer for the food and drink sector, Julia Long, branded the announcement as "a classic case of trying to bury bad news". | |
| The move by Britvic has been mooted for several months, with fears expressed for the future of Colman's Mustard, which has been manufactured at the site since 1860. | The move by Britvic has been mooted for several months, with fears expressed for the future of Colman's Mustard, which has been manufactured at the site since 1860. |
| Unilever, which owns Colman's, has previously said it could shut the site if Britvic closed operations. | Unilever, which owns Colman's, has previously said it could shut the site if Britvic closed operations. |
| It is conducting its own review and is looking at three sites in the city, including staying at Carrow Works. | It is conducting its own review and is looking at three sites in the city, including staying at Carrow Works. |
| Unilever has been approached for comment. |